System and device for evaluating operation result of corrugated paperboard box making machine

ABSTRACT

The operation result evaluation system comprises: an operation result information generation part to generate operation result information including a production count and an achieved operating time period; and an operation result evaluation device for, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for a given order, evaluating an operation result of the box making machine. The operation result evaluation device is operable to: with respect to each order, calculate an additional operating time period which is a difference between a target operating time period and the achieved operating time period; generate analytical information regarding an operating time period (FIG.  8 ) in each order; with respect to each of the entirety or part of a given number of orders, generate comparative information (FIG.  9 ); and cause the generated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2019-027507, filed on Feb. 19, 2019, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an operation result evaluation systemand device for use in a corrugated paperboard box making machine, andparticularly to an operation result evaluation system for use in acorrugated paperboard box making machine to evaluate an operation resultof the box making machine, based on information about an order forcorrugated paperboard boxes and information about the operation resultof the box making machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, there has been known a corrugated paperboard box makingmachine for subjecting a corrugated paperboard sheet to printing,slotting, punching, formation of a plurality of creases, folding alongthe creases, and joining, thereby producing a corrugated paperboard box.In response to a recent industry-wide trend toward high-mix low-volumeproduction, the high-mix low-volume production is also needed forcorrugated paperboard boxes. In such a situation, a factory forproducing corrugated paperboard boxes by a corrugated paperboard boxmaking machine is operated to produce corrugated paperboard boxes for alarge number of orders received from customers, e.g., as many as 100 ormore orders/day, while sequentially switching the orders. Further, thereis a need for a user of a corrugated paperboard box making machine forproducing corrugated paperboard boxes (a producer of corrugatedpaperboard boxes) for a large number of orders, to efficiently producegood-quality corrugated paperboard boxes, while shortening an operatingtime period for producing each corrugated paperboard box, as much aspossible.

Here, for example, in JP 2812694B (Patent Document 1), there isdescribed a technique for accurately monitoring an operation state of amachine such as a printing machine, wherein the content of productionsuch as a production count and an operation time is displayed in theform of list in the order of date.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Meanwhile, almost of a large number of orders for corrugated paperboardboxes received by a corrugated plant are repeat orders (reorders) forpreviously produced corrugated paperboard boxes. Here, the repeat ordermeans an order for corrugated paperboard boxes having the samespecifications as those of a previous order. However, the volume of therepeat order is different from that of a previous order, in many cases.

Because of a machine configuration and performance of machinecomponents, the box making machine is limited in terms of an allowableoperating speed (an upper limit of a speed at which a corrugatedpaperboard sheet can be conveyed).

However, the above limited operating speed of the box making machine isfurther limited by order conditions such as a sheet size. Thus, when thebox making machine is actually operated at the limited operating speedof the machine itself, it is likely to fail to stably convey acorrugated paperboard sheet, so that the fed sheet can be ejected as adefective product. Actually, such a speed to be limited depending oneach order becomes a substantial limited operating speed duringoperation of the box making machine (actual limited operating speed).Here in a repeat order, corrugated paperboard box specifications are thesame as those of a previous order, so that the limited operating speedis the same as that used in production of corrugated paperboard boxesfor a previous order. Therefore, if the box making machine is operatedat this limited operating speed, it is possible to produce corrugatedpaperboard boxes for the repeat order in a state in which an operatingtime period-dependent cost is maximally suppressed.

However, under the condition that a machine component constituting thebox making machine is worn or degraded, even if the box making machineis operated at the actual limited operating speed, a corrugatedpaperboard sheet is more likely to undergo a conveyance displacement,and become a detective product. Thus, generally, in a step ofpreliminary work prior to continuous sheet feeding, an operator conductstrial processing several times while adjusting the operating speed, toset the operating speed to a lowered value at which no defective productoccurs during continuous sheet feeding.

In this situation, in a repeat order, it is considered that goodcorrugated paperboard boxes can be produced by operating the box makingmachine at an operating speed equal to that adjusted in a past-order,particularly a previous order. However, if many days have passed fromthe previous order, there is a possibility that the degree of wear ordegradation of each machine component is increased. Thus, even in arepeat order, in a preliminary work prior to continuous sheet feeding,an operator still conducts trial processing several times whileadjusting the operating speed, to set the operating speed to a loweredvalue at which no defective product occurs during continuous sheetfeeding.

Here, it is possible to cope with wear or degradation of a machinecomponent, by performing replacement of such a machine component,adjustment of the box making machine, etc., based on a result ofinspection and maintenance of the machine, thereby returning a reducedoperating speed (production speed) to an original value. However, thebox making machine is structurally complicated and large in size, sothat it takes a long time period for the inspection. Moreover, duringthe inspection, the machine has to be stopped or shut down, so that itbecomes unable to produce corrugated paperboard boxes during thatperiod. Therefore, a user who needs to produce corrugated paperboardboxes for a large number of orders per day is hard to secure the timefor inspection, and is apt to limit the inspection to the minimum. Inthis case, there can arise a situation where, despite user's intension,the user figures out wear or the like of a machine componentconstituting the box making machine, only after the machine componentfails to operate properly. Moreover, in a case where it takes a longtime period for procurement of a replacement for the damaged component,a shutdown time period of the machine is extended, leading to a riskthat good-quality products cannot be delivered in an order-designatedvolume before due date.

Further, the user is hard to take notice of wear or degradation of amachine component, in a state in which the machine can be normallyoperated. That is, even when a machine component becomes worn ordegraded, such a defect cannot be evaluated from the external appearanceof the machine, and the wear or degradation of machine component is lesslikely to appear as a visible defective state. Further, even in a statein which a machine component is worn or degraded, the machine is notimmediately shut down, but can be operated to produce products for awhile. For these reasons, there can also arise the situation where,despite user's intension, the user figures out wear or the like of amachine component constituting the box making machine, only after themachine component fails to operate properly.

On the other hand, when a machine component becomes worn or degraded asmentioned above and consequently a resulting corrugated paperboard boxbecomes defective, the user takes an action to reduce the operatingspeed, even in a repeat order. With a focus on such an action, thepresent inventors considered that, by providing, to a user, operationresult information regarding a decrease in the operating speed or thelike in a current repeat order with respect to a past-order, it ispossible to cause the user to take notice of a sign of wear ordegradation of a machine component and recognize the necessity ofinspection. Here, it is difficulty for the user to memorize a pastoperation result of a specific order, because a repeat order isirregularly issued, and a large number of orders have to be handled in aday. In the device described in the Patent Document 1, it is necessaryto search a past operation result of a specific repeat order backward intime, while looking at a list of operation records, so that a user hasto take a lot of time and effort.

Based on the above, the present inventors considered that firstly, it isimportant for a user, even in a repeat order, to efficiently producegood-quality corrugated paperboard boxes, while shortening the operatingtime period for producing each corrugated paperboard box, as much aspossible; and, secondly, in order to effectively achieve the firstobject, it is important to allow the user to recognize the necessity andtiming to stop the machine so as to inspect the machine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anoperation result evaluation system and device for use in a corrugatedpaperboard box making machine to provide, to a user, informationindicative of a relationship between an operation result of a repeatorder and an operation result of a past-order whose corrugatedpaperboard box specifications are the same as those of the repeat order.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an operationresult evaluation system and device for use in a corrugated paperboardbox making machine to provide, to a user, quantitative informationregarding a loss dependent on operating time period in each of current-and past-orders having the same corrugated paperboard boxspecifications, or a loss dependent on operating speed of each of theorders having the same corrugated paperboard box specifications, therebyallowing the user to take notice of a sign of degradation of a machinecomponent and recognize the necessity of inspection.

Solution to Technical Problem

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a first aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided an operation result evaluationsystem for use in a corrugated paperboard box making machine to evaluatean operation result of the box making machine, based on orderinformation which is information regarding an order for corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and operation result information which is informationregarding the operation result of the box making machine. The operationresult evaluation system comprises: a production management device forthe box making machine, wherein the production management devicecomprises a production count counting part configured to count aproduction count which is a number of corrugated paperboard boxesproduced for each order by the box making machine, an achieved operatingtime period calculation part configured to calculate an achievedoperating time period during which corrugated paperboard boxes have beenproduced for each order by the box making machine, and an operationresult information generation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, generate operation result information including a production dateof corrugated paperboard boxes, the production count and the achievedoperating time period; an operation result evaluation device configuredto, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for agiven order, evaluate the operation result of the box making machine,with regard to a given number of orders; and a storage device forstoring therein a given database, wherein the operation resultevaluation device comprises: an achieved production count calculationpart configured to, with respect to each order, calculate, based on thegenerated operation result information, an achieved production countwhich is a number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the boxmaking machine during the achieved operating time period; a limitedoperating speed calculation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, calculate, based on the order information, a limited operatingspeed of the box making machine to be limited depending on each order; atarget operating time period calculation part configured to, withrespect to each order, calculate a target operating time period, basedon the calculated achieved production count and the calculated limitedoperating speed; a target and result comparison part configured to, withrespect to each order, compare the calculated target operating timeperiod with the achieved operating time period to calculate anadditional operating time period which is a difference between thetarget operating time period and the achieved operating time period,and/or a time period achievement rate which is a quotient obtained bydividing the target operating time period by the achieved operating timeperiod; and an analytical information generation part configured togenerate analytical information regarding the operating time period ineach order, based on the calculated additional operating time periodand/or the calculated time period achievement rate, wherein the givendatabase stored in the storage device includes the analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period for each order, theproduction date in the operation result information and the orderinformation for each order, associated with the analytical informationregarding the operating time period, and wherein the operation resultevaluation device further comprises: a past-order identification partconfigured to refer to order information of past production dates in thedatabase stored in the storage device to, with respect to each of anentirety or part of the given number of orders, identify a past-order ofa past production date having the same corrugated paperboard boxspecifications as those in the order information of any one of theentirety or part of the given number of orders; a past informationacquisition part configured to acquire analytical information regardinga past operating time period for the identified past-order, in thedatabase stored in the storage device, and a production date in theoperation result information associated with the acquired analyticalinformation; a comparative information generation part configured to,with respect to each of the entirety or part of the given number oforders, associate the generated analytical information regarding theoperating time period and the production date thereof, the acquiredanalytical information regarding the past operating time period and thepast production date thereof, and the order information common in them,thereby generating comparative information; and an informationtransmission control part configured to cause the generated comparativeinformation to be transmitted to a user terminal.

In the first aspect of the present invention having the above feature,the operation result evaluation system comprises the productionmanagement device, the operation result evaluation device configured to,after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for agiven order, evaluate the operation result of the box making machine,with regard to a given number of orders (e.g., orders of the sameproduction date), and the storage device for storing therein a givendatabase. The production management device is configured to, withrespect to each order, generate the operation result informationincluding the production date, the production count and the achievedoperating time period in regard to production of corrugated paperboardboxes, and the operation result evaluation device is configured to: withrespect to each order, calculate the achieved production count which isthe number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the box makingmachine during the achieved operating time period; with respect to eachorder, calculate the limited operating speed of the box making machine;with respect to each order, calculate the target operating time period;with respect to each order, calculate the additional operating timeperiod which is a difference between the target operating time periodand the achieved operating time period, and/or the time periodachievement rate obtained by dividing the target operating time periodby the achieved operating time period; and generate the analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period in each order, based onthe calculated additional operating time period and/or the calculatedtime period achievement rate, wherein the given database stored in thestorage device includes the analytical information regarding theoperating time period for each order, the production date in theoperation result information and the order information for each order,and wherein the operation result evaluation device further is furtherconfigured to refer to order information of past production dates in thedatabase to, with respect to each of an entirety or part of the givennumber of orders (e.g., an order selected based on the magnitude of theadditional operating time period), identify a past-order of a pastproduction date having the same corrugated paperboard box specificationsas those in the order information of any one of the entirety or part ofthe given number of orders; acquire analytical information regarding apast operating time period for the identified past-order, in thedatabase stored in the storage device, and a production date in theoperation result information associated with the acquired analyticalinformation; with respect to each of the entirety or part of the givennumber of orders, associate the generated analytical informationregarding the operating time period and the production date thereof, theacquired analytical information regarding the past operating time periodand the past production date thereof, and the order information commonin them, thereby generating comparative information; and cause thegenerated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.Thus, it is possible to provide, to a user, information indicative of arelationship between an operation result of a repeat order which is anorder having the same order information as that of a past-order, and anoperating result of a past-order having the same corrugated paperboardbox specifications as those of the repeat order, so as to allow the userto figure out the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboardboxes in each order after completion of production. Further, byproviding, to the user, quantitative information regarding a lossdependent on the operating time period in each of current- andpast-orders having the same corrugated paperboard box specifications, itis possible to allow the user to take notice of a sign of degradation ofa machine component and recognize the necessity of inspection.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a second aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided an operation result evaluationsystem for use in a corrugated paperboard box making machine to evaluatean operation result of the box making machine, based on orderinformation which is information regarding an order for corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and operation result information which is informationregarding the operation result of the box making machine. The operationresult evaluation system comprises: a production management device forthe box making machine, wherein the production management devicecomprises a production count counting part configured to count aproduction count which is a number of corrugated paperboard boxesproduced for each order by the box making machine, an achieved operatingtime period calculation part configured to calculate an achievedoperating time period during which corrugated paperboard boxes have beenproduced for each order by the box making machine, and an operationresult information generation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, generate operation result information including production dateof corrugated paperboard boxes, the production count and the achievedoperating time period; an operation result evaluation device configuredto, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for agiven order, evaluate the operation result of the box making machine,with regard to a given number of orders; and a storage device forstoring therein a given database, wherein the operation resultevaluation device comprises: an achieved production count calculationpart configured to, with respect to each order, calculate, based on thegenerated operation result information, an achieved production countwhich is a number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the boxmaking machine during the achieved operating time period; a limitedoperating speed calculation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, calculate, based on the order information, a limited operatingspeed of the box making machine to be limited depending on each order; atarget operating speed setting part configured to, with respect to eachorder, set the calculated limited operating speed of the box makingmachine, as a target operating speed; an achieved operating speedcalculation part configured to, with respect to each order, calculate anachieved operating speed of box making machine, based on the calculatedachieved production count and the achieved operating time period; atarget and result comparison part configured to, with respect to eachorder, compare the set target operating speed with the calculatedachieved operating speed to calculate an operating speed differencewhich is a difference between the target operating speed and theachieved operating speed, and/or a speed achievement rate which is aquotient obtained by dividing the achieved operating speed by the targetoperating speed; and an analytical information generation partconfigured to generate analytical information regarding the operatingspeed in each order, based on the achieved operating speed, thecalculated operating speed difference and/or the calculated speedachievement rate, wherein the given database stored in the storagedevice includes the analytical information regarding the operating speedin each order, and the production date in the operation resultinformation and the order information in each order associated with theanalytical information regarding the operating speed, and wherein theoperation result evaluation device further comprises: a past-orderidentification part configured to refer to order information of pastproduction dates in the database stored in the storage device to, withrespect to each of an entirety or part of the given number of orders,identify a past-order of a past production data having the samecorrugated paperboard box specifications as those in the orderinformation of any one of the entirety or part of the given number oforders; a past information acquisition part configured to acquireanalytical information regarding a past operating speed for theidentified past-order, in the database stored in the storage device, anda production date in the operation result information associated withthe acquired analytical information; a comparative informationgeneration part configured to, with respect to each of an entirety orpart of the given number of orders, associate the generated analyticalinformation regarding the operating speed and the production datethereof, the acquired analytical information regarding the pastoperating speed the past production date thereof, and the orderinformation common in them, thereby generating comparative information;and an information transmission control part configured to cause thegenerated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.

In the second aspect of the present invention having the above feature,the operation result evaluation system comprises the productionmanagement device, the operation result evaluation device configured to,after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for agiven order, evaluate the operation result of the box making machine,with regard to a given number of orders (e.g., orders of the sameproduction date), and the storage device for storing therein a givendatabase. The production management device is configured to: withrespect to each order, generate the operation result informationincluding the production date, the production count and the achievedoperating time period in regard to production of corrugated paperboardboxes, and the operation result evaluation device is configured to: withrespect to each order, calculate the achieved production count which isthe number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the box makingmachine during the achieved operating time period; with respect to eachorder, calculate the limited operating speed of the box making machine;with respect to each order, set the calculated limited operating speedas a target operating speed; with respect to each order, calculate anachieved operating speed of box making machine; with respect to eachorder, calculate the operating speed difference which is a differencebetween the target operating speed and the achieved operating speed,and/or the speed achievement rate which is a quotient obtained bydividing the achieved operating speed by the target operating speed; andgenerate the analytical information regarding the operating speed ineach order, based on the achieved operating speed, the calculatedoperating speed difference and/or the calculated speed achievement rate,wherein the given database stored in the storage device includes theanalytical information regarding the operating speed in each order, andthe production date in the operation result information and the orderinformation in each order, and wherein the operation result evaluationdevice is further configured to refer to order information of pastproduction dates in the database to, with respect to each of an entiretyor part of the given number of orders (e.g., an order selected based onthe magnitude of the additional operating time period), identify apast-order of a past production date having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications as those in the order information of anyone of the entirety or part of the given number of orders; acquireanalytical information regarding a past operating speed for theidentified past-order, in the database stored in the storage device, anda production date in the operation result information associated withthe acquired analytical information; with respect to each of theentirety or part of the given number of orders, associate the generatedanalytical information regarding the operating speed and the productiondate thereof, the acquired analytical information regarding the pastoperating speed and the past production date thereof, and the orderinformation common in them, thereby generating comparative information;and cause the generated comparative information to be transmitted to auser terminal. Thus, it is possible to provide, to a user, informationindicative of a relationship between an operation result of a repeatorder which is an order having the same order information as that of apast-order, and an operating result of a past-order having the samecorrugated paperboard box specifications as those of the repeat order,so as to allow the user to figure out the efficiency in production ofcorrugated paperboard boxes in each order after completion ofproduction. Further, by providing, to the user, quantitative informationregarding a loss dependent on the operating speed in each of current-and past-orders having the same corrugated paperboard boxspecifications, it is possible to allow the user to take notice of asign of degradation of a machine component and recognize the necessityof inspection.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the analytical informationgeneration part of the operation result evaluation device is operableto, with respect to each of the orders of the same production date,generate the analytical information regarding the operation time period;the operation result evaluation device further comprises a first orderselection part configured to select an order having a largest value ofthe additional operating time period and/or a smallest value of the timeperiod achievement rate, among values of the additional operating timeperiod and/or values of the time period achievement rate each includedin the generated analytical information regarding the operating timeperiod, among the orders of the same production date; the past-orderidentification part of the operation result evaluation device isoperable to identify a past-order of a past production date having thesame corrugated paperboard box specifications as those in the orderinformation of the order selected by the first order selection part; andthe past information acquisition part of the operation result evaluationdevice is operable to acquire a past additional operating time periodand/or a past time period achievement rate in the past-order of the pastproduction date identified by the past order identification part, andacquire the past production date of the identified past-order, whereinthe comparative information for each of the entirety or part of thegiven number of orders to be generated by the comparative informationgeneration part of the operation result evaluation device is acombination of the comparative information for the order selected by thefirst selection part and the comparative information for the past-orderidentified by the past-order identification part, and wherein thecomparative information generation part is operable to generate thecomparative information by associating the additional operating timeperiod and/or the time period achievement rate in the selected order;the production date of the selected order; the past additional operatingtime period and/or the past time period achievement rate in theidentified past-order; the production date of the identified past-order;and the order information common in them, with each other; and theinformation transmission control part is operable to cause the generatedcomparative information to be transmitted to the user terminal.

According to this feature, for example, among values of the additionaloperating time period included in the analytical information regardingthe operation result information for each of the given number of ordersof the same production date, an order having the largest valve of theadditional operating time period is selected. Then, the comparativeinformation is generated by associating the additional operating timeperiod and/or the time period achievement rate in the selected order;the production date of the selected order; the past additional operatingtime period and/or the past time period achievement rate in theidentified past-order; the production date of the identified past-order;and the order information common in them, with each other, andtransmitted to the user terminal. In this case, the amount ofinformation to be displayed on the user terminal is relatively small,and information of only the order having the largest valve of theadditional operating time period is provided to a user, so that it ispossible to allow the user to easily and more accurately figure out theefficiency in production of corrugated paperboard boxes by the boxmaking machine. Further, it is possible to more reliably cause the userto take notice of a sign of degradation of a machine component.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the analytical informationgeneration part of the operation result evaluation device is operableto, with respect to each of the orders of the same production date,generate the analytical information regarding the operation time period;the past-order identification part is operable to, with respect to eachof the orders of the same production date, identify a past-order of apast production date having the same corrugated paperboard boxspecifications as those in the order information of any one of theorders of the same production date; the past information acquisitionpart of the operation result evaluation device is operable to, withrespect to the identified past-order of the past production date,acquire the analytical information regarding the past operating timeperiod in the database stored in the storage device, and the productiondate in the operation result information associated with the analyticalinformation; and the operation result evaluation device furthercomprises a second order selection part configured to compare each ofthe additional operating time period and/or the time period achievementrate included in the analytical information regarding the operating timeperiod in each of the orders of the same production date generated bythe analytical information generation part, with a corresponding one ofthe past additional operating time period and/or the past time periodachievement rate included in the analytical information regarding thepast operating time period in the past-order of the past production dateacquired by the past information acquisition part configured to selectan order having a largest difference in terms of the additionaloperating time period and/or the time period achievement rate, whereinthe comparative information for the entirety or part of the given numberof orders to be generated by the comparative information generation partof the operation result evaluation device is a combination of thecomparative information for the order selected by the second selectionpart and the comparative information for the past-order having the samecorrugated paperboard box specifications as those in the orderinformation of the selected order, and wherein the comparativeinformation generation part is operable to generate the comparativeinformation by associating the additional operating time period and/orthe time period achievement rate in the selected order; the productiondate of the selected order; the past additional operating time periodand/or the past time period achievement rate in the past-order; the pastproduction date of the past-order; and the order information common inthem, with each other; and the information transmission control part isoperable to cause the generated comparative information to betransmitted to the user terminal.

According to this feature, for example, with respect to each of theorders of the same production date, a past-order of a past productiondate having the same corrugated paperboard box specifications as thosein the order information of any one of the orders of the same productiondate is identified, and each of the additional operating time periodand/or the time period achievement rate in each of the orders of thesame production date with a corresponding one of the past additionaloperating time period and/or the past time period achievement rate inthe identified past-order to select an order having the largestdifference in terms of the additional operating time period and/or thetime period achievement rate. Then, the comparative information isgenerated by associating the additional operating time period, etc., inthe selected order; the production date of the selected order; the pastadditional operating time period, etc., in the past-order; the pastproduction date of the past-order; and the order information common inthem, with each other, and transmitted to the user terminal. In thiscase, it is possible to allow the user to easily and more accuratelyfigure out the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboard boxesby the box making machine. Further, it is possible to more reliablycause the user to take notice of a sign of degradation of a machinecomponent.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the analytical informationregarding the operating time period in each order which is to begenerated by the analytical information generation part, include theachieved production count in each order, calculated by the achievedproduction count calculation part; and the comparative information to begenerated by the comparative information generation part includes theachieved production count in each order, included in the analyticalinformation.

According to this feature, the achieved production count is included inthe comparative information, so that it is possible to allow the user tofigure out the level of the production count when the comparativeinformation is obtained, and thereby more accurately figure out theefficiency in production of corrugated paperboard boxes by the boxmaking machine.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the achieved operating timeperiod calculation part of the production management device is operableto calculate, as the achieved operating time period, an operating timeperiod during which an operation state is detected in which two or morecorrugated paperboard boxes are produced per 5 seconds by the box makingmachine.

According to this feature, it is possible to accurately calculate theoperating time period for producing corrugated paperboard boxes, andthereby calculate a value of the additional operating time period whichis a difference between the target operating time period and theachieved operating time period, or the like, as a value more accuratelyreflecting wear or the like of a machine component of the box makingmachine. Thus, it is possible to provide the comparative information asinformation conforming to the state of the box making machine, andthereby allow a user of the box making machine to more accurately figureout degradation or the like of a machine component of the box makingmachine.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the order information includes asheet conveyance directional sheet length, and a binding number ofbox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets, each of which is to be setwith respect to each order, and wherein the limited operating speedcalculation part of the operation result evaluation device is operableto, with respect to each order, calculate the limited operating speed ofthe box making machine to be limited depending on each order, based onthe sheet conveyance directional sheet length and the binding number,each included in the order information; and values of the limitedoperating speed of the box making machine each predetermined withrespect to a respective one of various combinations of values of thesheet conveyance directional sheet length and values of the bindingnumber.

According to this feature, the limited operating speed of the box makingmachine to be limited depending on each order is calculated based onvalues of the limited operating speed of the box making machine eachpredetermined with respect to a respective one of various combinationsof values of the sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction andvalues of the binding number of box-structured corrugated paperboardsheets, so that it is possible to more accurately calculate the limitedoperating speed of the box making machine in each order, based on thespecifications of a counter-ejector of the box making machine and thebinding number in the order information. Thus, the target operating timeperiod to be calculated based on the limited operating speed can becalculated as a more accurate target value.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the given database stored in thestorage device further comprises a database for storing the operationresult information in each order generated by the operation resultinformation generation part of the production management device, inassociation with the order information of the order, and wherein theachieved production count calculation part of the operation resultevaluation device is operable to, with respect to each order, calculate,based on the operation result information stored in the database, theachieved production count which is a number of corrugated paperboardboxes produced by the box making machine during the achieved operatingtime period; and the limited operating speed calculation part of theoperation result evaluation device is operable to, with respect to eachorder, calculate, based on the order information stored in the database,the limited operating speed of the box making machine to be limiteddepending on each order.

According to this feature, the operation result evaluation systemcomprises the database for storing the operation result information ineach order, in association with the order information of the order, sothat it is possible to, after completion of production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes for a given order (e.g., after completion of productionof corrugated paperboard boxes for the last order in a day), moreefficiently calculate the achieved production count in each order andthe limited operating speed of the box making machine in each order,with regard to corrugated paperboard boxes produced in a day.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the given database stored in thestorage device further includes a database for storing the operationresult information in each order generated by the operation resultinformation generation part of the production management device, inassociation with the order information of the order, wherein theanalytical information regarding the operating time period of the boxmaking machine in each order generated by the analytical informationgeneration part of the operation result evaluation device, and thecomparative information generated by the comparative informationgeneration part, are stored in the given database, in association withthe order information and the operation result information each storedin the given database.

According to this feature, it is possible to, with respect to eachorder, store the order information, the operation result information,analytical information and the comparative information in the database,so that a user can arbitrarily obtain, e.g., the comparative informationof a specific order.

Preferably, the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention further comprises a server devicecapable of transmitting and receiving information with respect to eachof the production management device and the operation result evaluationdevice, and capable of transmitting information to the user terminal,wherein the information transmission control part of the operationresult evaluation device is configured to cause the comparativeinformation generated by the comparative information generation partconfigured to be transmitted to the user terminal via the server device.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the production management deviceis provided on a side of a producer who produces corrugated paperboardboxes using the box making machine, and the operation result evaluationdevice is provided on a side of a manufacturer of the box makingmachine.

According to this feature, the comparative information is transmitted tothe producer of corrugated paperboard boxes (machine user) to allow theproducer to figure out the efficiency in production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and wear or the like of a machine component of the boxmaking machine. Further, the manufacturer of the box making machine(machine maker) can utilize information obtained from the operationresult evaluation device, for, e.g., improvement, design change or thelike of the box making machine produced by the manufacturer itself.Further, in a situation where the efficiency in production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes is deteriorated and there arises a concern about wearor the like of a machine component of the box making machine, themanufacturer of the box making machine (machine maker) can provideappropriate support, such as giving advice about inspection andmaintenance of the box making machine, to the producer (machine user).

Preferably, in the above operation result evaluation system according tothe first aspect of the present invention, the production managementdevice is provided on a side of a producer who produces corrugatedpaperboard boxes using the box making machine, and the operation resultevaluation device and the database are provided on a side of amanufacturer of the box making machine.

According to this feature, the comparative information is transmitted tothe producer of corrugated paperboard boxes (machine user) to allow theproducer to figure out the efficiency in production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and wear or the like of a machine component of the boxmaking machine. Further, the manufacturer of the box making machine(machine maker) can utilize information obtained from the operationresult evaluation device and the database stored in and the storagedevice, for, e.g., improvement, design change or the like of the boxmaking machine produced by the manufacturer itself. Further, in thesituation where the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboardboxes is deteriorated and there arises a concern about wear or the likeof a machine component of the box making machine, the manufacturer ofthe box making machine (machine maker) can provide appropriate support,such as giving advice about inspection and maintenance of the box makingmachine, to the producer (machine user).

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the production management deviceand the operation result evaluation device are provided on a side of aproducer who produces corrugated paperboard boxes using the box makingmachine.

According to this feature, for example, the production management deviceand the operation result evaluation device can be constructed as anintegral device. In this case, it becomes easier for the producer(machine user) to handle the operation result evaluation system.

Preferably, in the above operation result evaluation system according tothe first aspect of the present invention, the production managementdevice and the operation result evaluation device are provided on a sideof a producer who produces corrugated paperboard boxes using the boxmaking machine, and the database is provided on a side of a manufacturerof the box making machine.

According to this feature, for example, the production management deviceand the operation result evaluation device can be constructed as anintegral device. In this case, it becomes easier for the producer ofcorrugated paperboard boxes (machine user) to handle the operationresult evaluation system. On the other hand, the machine maker (themanufacturer of the box making machine) can utilize information obtainedfrom the database stored in the storage device, for, e.g., improvement,design change or the like of the box making machine produced by themachine maker itself. Further, in the situation where the efficiency inproduction of corrugated paperboard boxes is deteriorated and therearises a concern about wear or the like of a machine component of thebox making machine, the manufacturer of the box making machine (machinemaker) can provide appropriate support, such as giving advice aboutinspection and maintenance of the box making machine, to the producer(machine user).

Preferably, in the above operation result evaluation system according tothe first aspect of the present invention, the production managementdevice, the operation result evaluation device and the database areprovided on a side of a producer who produces corrugated paperboardboxes using the box making machine.

According to this feature, it becomes easier for the producer (machineuser) to handle the operation result evaluation system.

Preferably, in the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention, the box making machine comprises:a sheet feeder for feeding corrugated paperboard sheets one-by-one; aprinter for subjecting the fed corrugated paperboard sheet to printing;a creaser-slotter for subjecting the resulting corrugated paperboardsheet to creasing, slotting and formation of joint flaps; a folder-gluerfor applying glue onto the joint flaps and then folding the resultingcorrugated paperboard sheet along each crease to bondingly form abox-structured corrugated paperboard sheet; and a counter-ejector forcounting a number of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets toform a batch consisting of a binding number of the box-structuredcorrugated paperboard sheets, and ejecting the batch.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a third aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided an operation result evaluationdevice for use in a corrugated paperboard box making machine to, aftercompletion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for a givenorder, evaluate an operation result of the box making machine, based onorder information which is information regarding an order for corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and operation result information which is informationregarding the operation result of the box making machine. The operationresult evaluation device comprises: an achieved production countcalculation part configured to, with respect to each order, calculate,based on information regarding an achieved operating time period andinformation regarding a number of produced corrugated paperboard boxes,each obtained from a production management device for the box makingmachine, an achieved production count which is a number of corrugatedpaperboard boxes produced by the box making machine during the achievedoperating time period; a limited operating speed calculation partconfigured to, with respect to each order, calculate, based on the orderinformation, a limited operating speed of the box making machine to belimited depending on each order; a target operating time periodcalculation part configured to, with respect to each order, calculate atarget operating time period, based on the calculated achievedproduction count and the calculated limited operating speed; a targetand result comparison part configured to, with respect to each order,compare the calculated target operating time period with the achievedoperating time period obtained from the production management device tocalculate an additional operating time period which is a differencebetween the target operating time period and the achieved operating timeperiod, and/or a time period achievement rate which is a quotientobtained by dividing the target operating time period by the achievedoperating time period; an analytical information generation partconfigured to generate analytical information regarding the operatingtime period in each order, based on the calculated additional operatingtime period and/or the calculated time period achievement rate; astorage part configured to store a database regarding the generatedanalytical information regarding the operating time period for eachorder, and a production date included in the operation resultinformation and the order information for each order, associated withthe analytical information regarding the operating time period; apast-order identification part configured to refer to order informationof past production dates in the database stored in the storage deviceto, with respect to each order, identify a past-order of a pastproduction date having the same corrugated paperboard box specificationsas those in the order information of the order; a past informationacquisition part configured to acquire analytical information regardinga past operating time period for the identified past-order, in thedatabase stored in the storage device, and a production date in theoperation result information associated with the acquired analyticalinformation; a comparative information generation part configured to,with respect to each order, associate the generated analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period and the production datethereof, the acquired analytical information regarding the pastoperating time period and the past production date thereof, and theorder information common in them, thereby generating comparativeinformation; and an information transmission control part configured tocause the generated comparative information to be transmitted to a userterminal.

In the operation result evaluation device according to the third aspectof the present invention, it is possible to provide, to a user,information indicative of a relationship between an operation result ofa repeat order which is an order having the same order information asthat of a past-order, and an operating result of a past-order having thesame corrugated paperboard box specifications as those of the repeatorder, so as to allow the user to figure out the efficiency inproduction of corrugated paperboard boxes in each order after completionof production. Further, by providing, to the user, quantitativeinformation regarding a loss dependent on the operating time period ineach of current- and past-orders having the same corrugated paperboardbox specifications, it is possible to allow the user to take notice of asign of degradation of a machine component and recognize the necessityof inspection.

Effect of Invention

In the operation result evaluation system and device of the presentinvention, it is possible to provide, to a user, information indicativeof a relationship between an operation result of a repeat order which isan order having the same order information as that of a past-order, andan operating result of a past-order having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications as those of the repeat order, so as toallow the user to figure out the efficiency in production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes in each order after completion of production. Further,by providing, to the user, quantitative information regarding a lossdependent on the operating time period in each of current- andpast-orders having the same corrugated paperboard box specifications, orquantitative information regarding a loss dependent on the operatingspeed in each of current- and past-orders having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications, with respect to each order aftercompletion of production, it is possible to allow the user to takenotice of a sign of degradation of a machine component and recognize thenecessity of inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the entire configuration of acorrugated paperboard box making machine to which an operation resultevaluation system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is applied.

FIG. 2A is side view for explaining the configuration and a batchforming operation of a counter-ejector of the box making machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is side view for explaining the configuration and a batchforming operation of a counter-ejector of the box making machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is side view for explaining the configuration and a batchforming operation of a counter-ejector of the box making machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D is side view for explaining the configuration and a batchforming operation of a counter-ejector of the box making machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2E is side view for explaining the configuration and a batchforming operation of a counter-ejector of the box making machineillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing sensors provided in a sheet feeder of thebox making machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a basis operation of the box makingmachine for explaining the flow of production of corrugated paperboardboxes in one order cycle and the concept of production time period, foruse in the operation result evaluation system according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of theoperation result evaluation system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing one example of basic information of an orderfor use in the operation result evaluation system according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing one example of result information of the orderto be generated by the operation result evaluation system according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a chart showing one example of analytical information of theorder to be generated by the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing one example of comparative information of theorder to be generated by the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a chart showing one modification of the comparativeinformation of the order to be generated by the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a chart showing one example of a matrix table defining alimited speed of the box making machine, for use in the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a relationship between asheet conveyance directional length and a conveyance interval in the boxmaking machine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a chart showing comprehensive information of an order to begenerated by the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a chart showing one example of a database of past operationresult information and analytical information to be referred to by theoperation result evaluation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the content of control to be executed byan upper-level management device during production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes in the operation result evaluation system according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the content of control to be executed byan analyzing device after completion of production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes in the operation result evaluation system according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one example of comparative informationgenerated and displayed in a user terminal by the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows one example of a presentation form of record informationabout the position of a machine component of a box making machine to begenerated by a modification of the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the first embodiment and displayed on a used terminaltogether with comparative information.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of anoperation result evaluation system for a corrugated paperboard boxmaking machine, according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of anoperation result evaluation system for a corrugated paperboard boxmaking machine, according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First of all, with reference to FIG. 1, the entire configuration of acorrugated paperboard box making machine to which an operation resultevaluation system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side viewshowing the entire configuration of the box making machine to which theoperation result evaluation system according to the first embodiment isapplied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reference sign 1 denotes a corrugated paperboardbox making machine. This box making machine 1 comprises: a sheet feeder2 for feeding corrugated paperboard sheets S one-by-one; a printer 3 forsubjecting the fed corrugated paperboard sheet S to printing; acreaser-slotter 4 for subjecting the resulting corrugated paperboardsheet S to creasing, slotting and formation of joint flaps; a die cutter5 for forming a punched area having a given shape in the resultingcorrugated paperboard sheet S; a folder-gluer 6 for applying glue ontothe joint flaps and then folding the resulting corrugated paperboardsheet S along each crease to bondingly form a box-structured corrugatedpaperboard sheet S; and a counter-ejector 8 for counting a number of thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S to form a batch consistingof a given number of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S,and ejecting the batch. The reference sign 7 denotes a sheet divider forperforming a sheet dividing operation in an order requiring onecorrugated paperboard sheet to be cut into a plurality of small-sizecorrugated paperboard sheets. This sheet divider 7 is a special devicewhich is generally not equipped in a normal corrugated paperboard boxmaking machine. The reference sign 9 denotes a binder for binding eachbatch. This binder 9 is provided as incidental equipment of the boxmaking machine 1.

Firstly, the sheet feeder 2 of the box making machine 1 comprises asuction box 20, a front gate 22 and a back guide 23, wherein the frontgate 22 and the back guide 23 are provided on a sheet-feeding table 21which forms an upper surface of the suction box 20. The front gate 22and the back guide 23 are arranged to allow a plurality of corrugatedpaperboard sheets S produced by a corrugator (not shown) to be stackedtherebetween. The front gate 22 is disposed to allow the stackedcorrugated paperboard sheets S to be fed out one-by-one through a gapbetween the table 21 and the front gate 22. The back guide 23 isconfigured to be movable in a direction parallel to a feed-out direction(sheet conveyance direction) FD, whereby plural types of corrugatedpaperboard sheets S different in length in the sheet conveyancedirection (sheet conveyance directional length) can be stacked betweenthe front gate 22 and the back guide 23. Further, a suction device 24 isattached to the bottom of the suction box 20 to suction air inside thesuction box 20.

The sheet feeder 2 further comprises a plurality of sheet-feedingrollers 25 arranged in parallel to each of the feed-out direction FD anda direction orthogonal to the feed-out direction FD, and a grate 26which is a plate-like member configured to extend among thesheet-feeding rollers 25 and to be raisable and lowerable with respectto the sheet-feeding rollers 25. An outer peripheral surface of each ofthe sheet-feeding rollers 25 is provided with a urethane member forgenerating a frictional force with respect to the sheet S to increase agrip force for the sheet S.

Continuous sheet feeding by the sheet-feeding rollers 25 can be startedby lowering the grate 26 downwardly with respect to the sheet-feedingrollers 25 to allow a lowermost one of the stacked corrugated paperboardsheets S to be brought into contact with the sheet-feeding rollers 25.In this state, rotation of the sheet-feeding rollers 25 is transmittedto the lowermost sheet S, and the stacked corrugated paperboard sheets Sare fed out one-by-one toward feed rolls 27 ahead. The sheet S reachesthe feed rolls 27 is fed out to the printer 3 according to rotation ofthe feed rolls 27. An outer peripheral surface of each of the feed rolls27 is provided with a rubber member for generating a frictional forcewith respect to the sheet S to increase a grip force for the sheet S.

On the other hand, when the grate 26 is raised upwardly with respect tothe sheet-feeding rollers 25, the lowermost sheet S is brought intonon-contact with the sheet-feeding rollers 25, so that rotation of thesheet-feeding rollers 25 is not transmitted to the lowermost sheet S,and thereby the sheet feeding is stopped.

Secondly, the printer 3 comprises a plurality of (in this embodiment,two) printing units 30, 32 for subjecting the fed corrugated paperboardsheet S to printing. Each of the printing units 30, 32 comprises aprinting cylinder (34, 36) having an outer peripheral surface to which aprinting plate 38 is attached. When each of the printing cylinders 34,36 is rotated 360-degree in accordance with (basically, insynchronization with) a conveyance speed of the corrugated paperboardsheet S, a given design will be printed at a given position of thecorrugated paperboard sheet S by the printing plates 38. The printedsheet S is suppled to the creaser-slotter 4. In the event of an orderchange, an operator can replace the printing plate 38 with anotherprinting plate having a printing pattern conforming to a new order.

Thirdly, the creaser-slotter 4 comprises a creaser unit 40 and a slotterunit 42. The creaser unit 40 comprises a pair of creasing rolls arrangedone-above-the-other to perform creasing. The slotter unit 42 comprises:an upper slotter to which a slotter blade is attached; and a lowerslotter formed with a groove fittingly engageable with the slotter bladeto perform slotting. The creaser-slotter 4 is configured to subject theprinted corrugated paperboard sheet S to creasing and slotting throughthe creaser unit 40 and the slotter unit 42, and formation of jointflaps, and supply the processed corrugated paperboard sheet S to the diecutter 5.

Fourthly, the die cutter 5 comprises a die cylinder 50 and an anvilcylinder 52. A punching die 54 for subjecting the supplied corrugatedpaperboard sheet S to punching is attached to a wooden form made ofveneer plywood or the like, and then this wooden form is attached to anouter peripheral surface of the die cylinder 50. The punching die 54 isdisposed to allow a desired area of the corrugated paperboard sheet Sbeing continuously conveyed to be subjected to punching. In the event ofan order change, the operator can replace the punching die 54 withanother punching die having a punching pattern conforming to a neworder.

Fifthly, the folder-gluer 6 comprises a guide rail 60 along the sheetconveyance direction of the punched corrugated paperboard sheet S. Twoloop-shaped conveyance belts 62 arranged side-by-side in a directionparallel to the sheet conveyance direction are provided just above theguide rail 60. With a view to generating a frictional force with respectto the sheet S to increase a grip force for the sheet S, a surface layerof each of the conveyance belts 60 is made of rubber. The folder-gluer 6further comprises a glue supply device 64, a bending bar 66 and afolding belt 68, which are arranged along the guide rail 60 and theconveyance belts 62.

The folder-gluer 6 is operable to support and convey the corrugatedpaperboard sheet S formed with creases and joint flaps, by the guiderail 60 and the conveyance belts 62. During the conveyance of the sheetS, the folder-gluer 6 is operable to apply glue onto the joint flaps bythe glue supply device 64, and then bend the glue-applied sheet S by thebending bar 66. Further, the folder-gluer 6 is operable to fold the bentsheet S by the folding belt 68 to bond the joint flaps together, therebyproducing a box-structured corrugated paperboard sheet S.

Sixthly, the counter-ejector 8 is operable to count the number of thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S sequentially supplied fromthe sheet divider 7 to form a batch BT consisting of a given number(binding number) of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S.The formed batch BT is ejected toward the binder 9 connected to adownstream end of the box making machine 1 by a lower conveyer 80 by theaftermentioned lower conveyer 80, and the binder 9 is operable to bindthe conveyed batch BT together for transportation. The counter-ejector 8is equipped with a photoelectric sensor (not shown) for counting thenumber of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S beingconveyed.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A to 2E, the configuration of thecounter-ejector 8 will be described in detail below. FIGS. 2A to 2E areside views for explaining the configuration and a batch formingoperation of the counter-ejector of the box making machine illustratedin FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A to 2E, the counter-ejector 8 comprises alower conveyer 80, an upper conveyer 81, a front contact plate 82, acorrection plate 83, a main ledge 84, a pair of auxiliary ledges 86, anda lifter 88.

The front contact plate 82 is disposed displaceably in aforward-rearward direction to come into contact with a leading edge ofthe box-structured corrugated paperboard sheet S conveyed in the sheetconveyance direction FD, and positioned in the forward-rearwarddirection (sheet conveyance direction) such that a distance with respectto the correction plate 83 is set to a value conforming to a sheetconveyance directional dimension of the box-structured corrugatedpaperboard sheet S. This allows the box-structured corrugated paperboardsheets S to be sequentially stacked between the front contact plate 82and the correction plate 83, while a trailing edge of each of thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S is brought into contactwith the correction plate 83.

The main ledge (separating member) 84 has an L shape, and is configuredto be movable in an upward-rearward direction and in theforward-rearward direction (rightward-leftward direction, in side view)by a support mechanism including a not-shown drive motor. The main ledge84 is operable to separate a given number of box-structured corrugatedpaperboard sheets S inside the counter-ejector 8 by utilizing a sheetconveyance directional interval between adjacent ones of thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S fed in the counter-ejector8 one-by-one from the upstream stations, and a time intervaltherebetween. The main ledge 84 is also operable to press down thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S on a per-batch basis.

Each of the pair of auxiliary ledges 86 is disposed beneath a respectiveone of the front contact plate 82 and the correction plate 83, andconfigured to be movable in the forward-rearward direction.Specifically, these auxiliary ledges 86 are configured to be moved indirections causing them to come close to each other to support a lowersurface of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheet S, and movedin directions causing them to come away from each other to place thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheet S on the lifter 88.

The lifter 88 is configured to be movable in the upward-downwarddirection. Specifically, the lifter 88 is configured to be lowered topass a batch of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S to thelower conveyer 80. The lower conveyer 80 is operable to send the batchBT toward the binder 9 in cooperation with the upper conveyer 94.

With reference to FIGS. 2A to 2E, the operation of the counter-ejector 8will be described below.

First of all, as shown in FIG. 2A, the main ledge 84 is kept in astandby state at an uppermost position free of interference with thebox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S. This standby state willbe maintained until the number counted by the not-shown photoelectricsensor reaches a given number (binding number) predetermined withrespect to each order.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the counted number reaches thegiven number, the main ledge 84 is lowered. More specifically, the mainledge 84 is lowered just after a last sheet S constituting a precedingbatch BT is fed in and before a first sheet S constituting a next batchis fed in. In this way, the main ledge 84 is inserted between an uppersurface of the last sheet in the preceding batch and a lower surface ofthe first sheet in the next batch, thereby separating a given number ofbox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S to form a batch BTconsisting of the given number of the sheets S. Further, at almost thesame time the batch BT is formed, the auxiliary ledges 86 are moved indirections causing them to come close to each other.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2C, in a state in which the batch BT ispressed down by the main ledge 84, the lifter 88 is lowered to aposition of the lower conveyer 80 to pass one or more sheetsconstituting the next batch, placed on an upper surface of the mainledge 84, to the auxiliary ledges 86. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2D and2E, the batch BT is passed from the lifter 88 to the lower conveyer 80,and then the main ledge 84 is moved to the uppermost standby position.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a sensor for counting a production countof corrugated paperboard boxes by the box making machine 1 will bedescribed. FIG. 3 is a side view showing sensors provided in the sheetfeeder of the box making machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet feeder 2 is provided with a productioncount counting sensor 28 disposed at a position downstream of the frontgate 22 and upstream of the feed rolls 27. This production countcounting sensor 28 is a photoelectric sensor configured to detect eachof the sheets S fed out from the sheet feeder 2 one-by-one, and count aproduction count (the number of corrugated paperboard sheets actuallyfed out and produced into corrugated paperboard boxes).

Alternatively, the production count may be counted using a detectionsignal from the aforementioned photoelectric sensor (not shown) providedin the counter-ejector 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet feeder 2 is further provided with a sheetpresence/absence detecting sensor 29 disposed at a position just abovethe sheet-feeding table 21 and upstream of the front gate 22. This sheetpresence/absence detecting sensor 29 is a photoelectric sensorconfigured to emit signal light downwardly toward an upper surface ofthe sheet-feeding table to detect the presence or absence of the sheet Son the sheet-feeding table 21.

Here, the box making machine 1 is configured such that plural corrugatedpaperboard sheets S whose number is preliminarily set based on eachorder are automatically fed and stacked on the sheet-feeding table 21 ofthe sheet feeder 2. Further, the box making machine 1 may be configuredsuch that, for example, when it is detected that the sheets S on thesheet-feeding table 21 run out in a situation where the after-mentionedlot termination switch is in an ON state, the operation of the boxmaking machine in each order is automatically stopped, on the assumptionthat production of plural corrugated paperboard boxes whose number ispreliminarily set based on each order is completed.

Next, with respect to FIG. 4, the flow of production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes in one order cycle and the concept of production timeperiod, in the box making machine in the first embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a basis operation of the boxmaking machine for explaining the flow of production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes in one order cycle and the concept of production timeperiod, for use in the operation result evaluation system according tothe first embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, in a case where the boxmaking machine 1 produces plural corrugated paperboard boxes whosespecifications and scheduled count (volume ordered from a customer) aredifferent depending on each order, a time point when production for apreceding order has been completed is deemed to be coincident with atime point of start of production for a current order. Similarly, a timepoint of completion of production for the current order is deemed to becoincident with a time point of start of production for the next order.

Here, in this embodiment, the term “production time period” means theentire time period relating to production of corrugated paperboardboxes, and a time period of one order cycle, as shown in FIG. 4 isequivalent to the production time period of the order. This productiontime period is roughly classified into three time periods; an “operatingtime period” which is a time period of a step in which corrugatedpaperboard sheets S are continuously fed and processed into corrugatedpaperboard boxes (box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets); a“preparatory time period” which is a time period of a step in which thecontinuous sheet feeding is stopped, and an order change work(positioning, replacement of the printing plate, etc., trial processing,inspection and adjustment) is performed, and a “shutdown time period”which is a time period of a step in which the continuous sheet feedingis stopped, and the order change work is not performed.

In this embodiment, a time point when the production flow enters apreparatory step is defined as a time point of start of production forthe certain order, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, in thepreparatory step, firstly, after the sheet feeding of corrugatedpaperboard sheets S by the sheet feeder 2 is stopped, positioning ofmovable members (movable machine components) of, e.g., adjustment of agap between the feed rolls and positioning of processing tools such as aslitter, is automatically performed under machine control. Secondly,manual works by an operator (worker) such as replacement of the printingplate are performed. Thirdly, trial processing is performed.

The first preparatory sub-step (first order change work) is performed,for example, by (1) preliminarily turning on a lot termination switchfor automatically performing a series of operations from completion ofproduction for a preceding order to positioning of each unit, undermachine control, or by (2) manually pushing a sheet-feeding stop switchfor stopping the continuous sheet feeding, to stop the sheet feeding,thereby terminating the production for the preceding order, and aftermanually turning off a main motor switch which is a power switch of amotor for driving rotors such as the sheet-feeding rollers 25 and theprinting cylinder 34 for conveying and processing corrugated paperboardsheets S, manually turning on an order change switch for startingpositioning of the movable members on a machine control basis during anorder change.

In the second preparatory sub-step (second order change work), in astate in which the main motor switch is manually turned off to stop thefeeding of corrugated paperboard sheets S and shut down the box makingmachine 1, an operator (worker) performs a preparatory work necessary tostart production for a new order. Examples of the preparatory work to beperformed by the operator include: work of detaching the printing platealready attached to each of the printing cylinders 34, 36 of theprinting units 30, 32 of the printer 3, and then attaching anotherprinting plate conforming to a print pattern for a current order; workof replacing ink to be supplied to the printing units 30, 32 withanother ink conforming to print color; and work of attaching a woodenform of the punching die 54 conforming to a punching shape for thecurrent order, to the die cylinder 50 of the die cutter 5, in the samemanner as that in the replacement of the printing plate.

Here, for example, in a first order for which the box making machine 1is first started up in a day at a time point of start of production, thepreparatory work is performed by appropriately changing the orderbetween the first preparatory sub-step and the second preparatorysub-step, on an as-needed basis.

Subsequently, in the third preparatory sub-step (third order changework/trial processing), after the first and second preparatory works,the operator manually turns on the main motor switch to start up the boxmaking machine 1, and then manually set the operating speed (sheetconveyance speed) using switches or a touch panel display. Specifically,for example, the operator manipulates an acceleration/decelerationswitch for continuously increasing or reducing the operating speed, anda single-sheet feeding switch for feeding only one of the sheets Sstacked on the sheet-feeding table 21, to subject the fed sheet S totrial processing, and inspects the resulting corrugated paperboard box(box-structured corrugated paperboard sheet). Then, the operator adjuststhe operating speed so as to stably obtain a good product.

Subsequently, upon completion of the preparatory step, the productionflow enters an operation step of producing corrugated paperboard boxes,while continuously feeding corrugated paperboard sheets S at theoperating speed adjusted in the above manner. In this operating step,the operator manipulates a sheet-feeding start switch for triggering theoperation of continuously feeding corrugated paperboard sheets S stackedon the sheet-feeding table 21 on-by-one, thereby starting productionunder continuous sheet feeding at the adjusted operating speed.

Subsequently, upon completion of production of corrugated paperboardboxes (box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets) whose numbercorresponds to a production count set based on an order-designatedvolume, the operator manipulates the sheet-feeding stop switch forstopping the continuous sheet feeding, to stop the sheet feeding, andshut down the box making machine 1. Alternatively, the operatorpreliminarily inputs a sheet-feeding stop sheet count, using the controlpanel, to allow the continuous sheet feeding to be automatically stoppedupon completion of feeding of corrugated paperboard sheets S whosenumber corresponds to the preset sheet-feeding stop sheet count.

Subsequently, a preparatory work for production for the next order isstarted. As the preparatory work, the operator turns off the main motorswitch, and further pushes the order change switch, to start positioningof the movable members of the box making machine for the next order.Alternatively, the lot termination switch may be preliminarily turned onduring the continuous sheet feeding for the current order, as mentionedabove. In this case, at the time when the sheets on the sheet-feedingtable 21 run out, the continuous sheet feeding is automatically stopped,and the main motor is automatically turned off. Further, positioning ofthe movable members is automatically started.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a schematic configuration of theoperation result evaluation system according to the first embodiment,and basic information of an order for use in the operation resultevaluation system will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showingthe schematic configuration of the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a chart showing oneexample of the basic information of an order for use in the operationresult evaluation system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reference sign 100 denotes an operation resultevaluation system for use in the box making machine 1, according to thisembodiment. The operation result evaluation system 100 for use in thebox making machine 1 is provided on the side of a user of the box makingmachine 1 (on the side of a producer which produces corrugatedpaperboard boxes using the box making machine 1), and comprises: aproduction management device 110 for controlling each machine componentsof the box making machine 1 and performing production management of thebox making machine 1; a server device 112 provided on the side of amaker (on the side of a manufacturer of the box making machine) toperform communication with respect to external devices, and comprising adatabase (storage device) for storing therein given data; and ananalyzing device 114 (operation result evaluation device) 114connectable to the server device 112. Here, the communication of theserver device 112 with respect to external devices is performed via theInternet, crowd service, company's LAN or the like.

The production management device 110 is connected to the box makingmachine 1, and comprises: a lower-level management device 120 forcontrolling each machine component of the box making machine 1 inaccordance with to basic information in each order as shown in FIG. 6;and an upper-level management device 122 for generally managingproduction in the box making machine 1. In this embodiment, thelower-level management device 120 is incorporated in the box makingmachine 1, and the upper-level management device 122 is providedseparately from the box making machine 1.

In this embodiment, the term “basic information” means order informationfor producing corrugated paperboard boxes for each order, using the boxmaking machine 1, wherein the basic information (order information)includes information regarding a product code, a sheet size, a bindingnumber, a scheduled count (volume ordered from a customer) and the like,as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the term “product code” means acode indicative of corrugated paperboard box specifications, wherein acommon product code is used for corrugated paperboard boxes having thesame specifications (such as sheet size, flute, box shape and bindingnumber). In this case, a common product code is used even when ascheduled number (volume ordered from a customer) is different amongorders.

Firstly, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower-level managementdevice 120 of the production management device 110 will be described indetail.

The lower-level management device 120 in this embodiment is a deviceconfigured to control operations of the machine components 2 to 6 and 8of the box making machine 1 in accordance with the basic information ofeach order received from the upper-level management device 122. For thispurpose, the lower-level management device 120 is connected with acontroller 124 for controlling the machine components 2 to 6 and 8 ofthe box making machine 1; a control panel 126 including the switches andthe touch panel display described above in connection with FIG. 4; theaforementioned production count counting sensor 28; and theaforementioned sheet presence/absence detecting sensor 29, as shown inFIG. 5.

The lower-level management device 120 comprises: an input-output part130 to transmit and receive data (information) with respect to theupper-level management device 122; a production count counting part 132to count a production count in real time, based on a detection signalfrom the production count counting sensor 28; and a machine componentcontrol part 134 to send a signal to the controller 124 so as to, withrespect to each order, control the operations of the machine components2 to 6 and 8, such as operations necessary for conveyance and processingof each corrugated paper board sheet S, and positioning operation duringorder change. A result of counting of the production count by theproduction count counting part 132 is sent to the upper-level managementdevice 122 in real time.

The lower-level management device 120 further comprises a storage part136. The storage part 136 is configured to store therein the basicinformation (FIG. 6) of each order received from the upper-levelmanagement device 122, at least during execution of the received order,and temporarily store therein the result of counting of the productioncount by the production count counting part 132. Further, the storagepart 136 stores therein data regarding a timing at which an order changesignal is transmitted and received with respect to the upper-levelmanagement device.

The touch panel display 126 of the box making machine 1 is configuredsuch that the scheduled count in each order (order-designated volume),the sheet-feeding stop sheet count, the operating speed set by theoperator, the after-mentioned limited operating speed in each order andothers are displayed thereon. The storage part 136 further storestherein data regarding the after-mentioned matrix table (see FIG. 1),and the lower-level management device 120 is operable to use the dataregarding this matrix table to calculate a limited operating speed ineach order, in the same manner as the after-mentioned manner in theanalyzing device 114.

The lower-level management device 120 is operable, upon completion ofproduction for a current order, to send the order change signal to theupper-level management device 122. When the upper-level managementdevice 122 receives the order change signal, the upper-level managementdevice 122 is operable to send basic information of the next order (FIG.8) to the lower-level management device 120. This order change signal issent when corrugated paperboard sheets S on the sheet-feeding table runout in the situation where the lot termination switch is in the ONstate, or when the operator manually pushes the order change switch.

Secondly, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the upper-level managementdevice 122 of the production management device 110 in this embodimentwill be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a chart showing one example ofresult information of the order to be generated by the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment.

The upper-level management device 122 in this embodiment is a deviceconfigured to cause the box making machine 1 to execute production ofcorrugated paperboard boxes for a large number of orders, in apredetermined sequence.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper-level management device 122 comprises: aninput-output part 140 to transmit and receive data (information) withrespect to the lower-level management device 120 and the server device112; a signal acquisition part 142 to acquire the order change signaland the result of counting of the production count, in real time fromthe lower-level management device 120; a state identification part 144to identify each of the operation, shutdown and preparatory states,based on the signals acquired by the signal acquisition part 142; and arequired time period summing part 146 to sum durations of each of theoperation, shutdown and preparatory states identified by the stateidentification part 144, in real time.

More specifically, the state identification part 144 is operable toidentify each of three states of the box making machine 1: the state inthe “operating time period” (operation state); the state in “shutdowntime period” (shutdown state); and the state in the “preparatory timeperiod” (preparatory state), and the required time period summing part146 is operable to sum a required time period of each of the states. Inthis embodiment, a combination of the state identification part 144 andthe required time period summing part 146 serves as a means to calculatean achieved operating time period.

Here, a method of calculating the achieved operating time period by thestate identification part 144 and the required time period summing part146 will be described.

In this embodiment, when the number of corrugated paperboard sheets Sdetected during conveyance based on a result of counting of theproduction count by the aforementioned sensors (28, 29) becomes two ormore per 5 seconds, the state identification part 144 operates todetermine that the continuous sheet feeding is started, and the“operating time period” is started at the time point of detection of thefirst sheet of the continuous sheet feeding. On the other hand, when thenumber of detected corrugated paperboard sheets S is determined not tobe two or more per 5 seconds, the state identification part 144 operatesto determine that the continuous sheet feeding is stopped, and terminatethe “operating time period” at the time point of detection of the lastsheet of the continuous sheet feeding.

As one modification, the operating time period may be started at thetime point when the operator manipulates the sheet-feeding start switchas mentioned above. Further, the operating time period may be terminatedat the time point when the operator manipulates the sheet-feeding stopswitch as mentioned above.

In this embodiment, the state identification part 144 operates to startthe preparatory time period at the time point of receiving of the orderchange signal. Further, the state identification part 144 operates toterminate the preparatory time period at the same time point as that ofthe start of the operating time period.

The time period during which the number of detected corrugatedpaperboard sheets S is not two or more per 5 seconds is deemed as astate in which the continuous sheet feeding is stopped (broken line A inFIG. 4), or determined as a shutdown state in which the continuous sheetfeeding is actually stopped (broken line B in FIG. 4), and defined asthe shutdown time period. In the situation where this shutdown state(shutdown time period) is detected, when the number of corrugatedpaperboard sheets S detected based on the result of counting of theproduction count by the sensors becomes two or more per 5 seconds, thestate identification part 144 operates to determine that the continuoussheet feeding is restarted, and consider the detection timing as thetime point of restart of the operating time period. In the case wherethe operating time period is divided into a plurality of sub-timeperiods in one order cycle, the sum of the sub-time periods is definedas the operating time period. This handling is also applied to thepreparatory time period and the shutdown time period. It should be notedhere that the time point of start of the broken line B in FIG. 4 is,e.g., the time point when the sheet-feeding stop switch is pushed foremergency shutdown during the continuous sheet feeding.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper-level management device 122 furthercomprises an operation result information generation part/informationtransmission control part 148, a production management part 150, and astorage part (database) 152.

The operation result information generation part/informationtransmission control part 148 is operable to generate operation resultinformation in each order as shown in FIG. 7, in association with thebasic information (FIG. 6) stored in the storage part 152, and store theoperation result information in the storage part 152.

The operation result information generation part/informationtransmission control part 148 is also operable to cause the storedoperation result information to be transmitted to the server device 112via the input-output part 140. More specifically, the operation resultinformation generation part/information transmission control part 148 isoperable, when a power switch of the upper-level management device 122is turned off, or when production in a day is completed, e.g., when afixed time has come, to read out operation result information aboutproduction of the day from the storage part 152, and send the read-outoperation result information to the server device 112 together with thebasic information.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation result information includes, asinformation in each order, production date, the production countcounting result acquired by the signal acquisition part 142, theachieved operating time period summed by the required time periodsumming part 146, an achieved shutdown time period, and achievedpreparatory time period.

The production management part 150 is operable, when receiving the orderchange signal from the lower-level management device 120, to read outthe basic information of the next order from a production managementplan stored in the storage part 152, and send the read-out basicinformation of the next order to the lower-level management device 120.

The storage part 152 stores therein data about the production managementplan including the basic information (FIG. 6) of each order, and dataabout the aforementioned operation result information (FIG. 7). Further,the storage part 152 is configured to store therein the production countcounting result acquired by the signal acquisition part 142 in the formof two separated types of counting results: the number of corrugatedpaperboard sheets fed during one order cycle; and the number ofcorrugated paperboard sheets fed during the “preparatory time period”identified by the state identification part 144 (during the trialprocessing), as shown in FIG. 7.

The upper-level management device 122 is provided with a control panel154 comprising a keyboard and a touch panel display. Through thiscontrol panel 154, the operator can perform production management fororders, such as change in the sequence of orders, addition or deletionof an order, or change in the basic information of each order.

Thirdly, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 12, the analyzing device 114 ofthe operation result evaluation system according to the first embodimentwill be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a chart showing one example ofanalytical information of an order to be generated by the operationresult evaluation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is achart showing one example of comparative information of the order to begenerated by the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a chart showing one modification of thecomparative information of the order to be generated by the operationresult evaluation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is achart showing one example of a matrix table defining a limited speed ofthe box making machine, for use in the operation result evaluationsystem according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a conceptualdiagram for explaining a relationship between a sheetconveyance-directional length and a conveyance interval in the boxmaking machine in the first embodiment.

The analyzing device 114 in the first embodiment is a device configuredto calculate a target operating time period and a target operating speed(limited operating speed) based on the basic information and theoperation result information of each order transmitted from theupper-level management device 122, and generate analytical information(FIG. 8) and comparative information (FIG. 9), based on the calculatedoperation target values and achieved values. In this embodiment, theanalytical information and the comparative information are generatedafter completion of production in a day.

With reference to FIG. 5, a schematic configuration of the analyzingdevice 114 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the analyzing device 114 in this embodimentcomprises: an input-output part 160 to transmit and receive data(information) with respect to the server device 112; an operation resultinformation acquisition part 162 to acquire the basic information (FIG.6) and the operation result information (FIG. 7), from the server device112; a limited operating speed calculation part (target operating speedsetting part) 164 to calculate a limited operating speed of the boxmaking machine 1 to be set with suspect to each order; an achievedproduction count calculation part 166 to calculate a production countduring the operating time period as an achieved production count; anachieved operating speed calculation part 168 to calculate an achievedoperating speed in each order, based on the acquired operation resultinformation; and a target operating time period calculation part 170 tocalculate the target operating time period in each order, based on theacquired operation result information and the calculated limitedoperating speed.

The analyzing device 114 in this embodiment further comprises: a targetand result comparison part/analytical information generation part 172to, with respect to each order, perform comparison between the achievedoperating time period and the target operating time period to generatethe analytical information including a result of the comparison, asshown in FIG. 8; an order selection part 173 to select an order forwhich comparative information is to be provided to the user, based onthe aftermentioned additional operating time period and otherscalculated by the target and result comparison part/analyticalinformation generation part 172; a past-order selection part/pastinformation acquisition part 174 to search a database 182 to identify apast-order having the same product code as that of the order selected bythe order selection part 173, among previously-produced orders(past-orders of past production dates), and acquire the analyticalinformation of the identified past-order from the database 182; acomparative information generation part 175 to generate the comparativeinformation as shown in FIG. 9, as record information about theanalytical information of the order selected by the order selection part173 and the analytical information of the past-order; and an analyticaland comparative information transmission control part 176 to cause theanalytical information (FIG. 8) and the comparative information (FIG. 9)to be read out from the storage part 156 and transmitted to the serverdevice 112 via the input-output part 160 and further cause thecomparative information to be transmitted from the server device 112 toa user terminal 190.

The analyzing device 114 further comprises a storage part (database) 178in which the matrix table (FIG. 11) is stored. The storage part 178 alsostores therein the analytical information (FIG. 8) of each order and thecomparative information (FIG. 9) of the selected order.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, functions of the calculation partsand the information generation parts of the analyzing device 114 andinformation to be generated by the analyzer 114 will be described indetail.

The limited operating speed calculation part (target operating speedsetting part) 164 is operable to calculate the limited operating speedin each order, based on a sheet conveyance directional dimension and abinding number included in the basic information (FIG. 6) and the matrixtable (FIG. 11) stored in the storage part 178. Then, the limitedoperating speed calculation part 164 is operable to set the calculatedlimited operating speed in each order, as the target operating speed ineach order. A method of calculating the limited operating speed usingthe matrix table will be described later.

The achieved production count calculation part 166 is operable, based onthe operation result information (FIG. 7), to calculate the productioncount during the operating time period by subtracting a result ofcounting during the preparatory time period (count in the trialprocessing) from a result of counting during one order cycle. Here, theproduction count during the preparatory time period may be considered tofall within the margin of error, because it is several, and therefore avalue obtained by adding the production count during the operating timeperiod and the production count during the preparatory time periodtogether, i.e., the result of counting during one order cycle, may beused as the achieved production count during the operating time period.

The achieved operating speed calculation part 168 is operable tocalculate the achieved operating speed in each order by dividing theachieved production count during the operating time period of the boxmaking machine 1 by the achieved operating time period included in theoperation result information acquired through the operation resultinformation acquisition part 162.

The target operating time period calculation part 170 is operable to,with respect to each order designating the day as the production date,calculate the target operating time period in each order by dividing theachieved production count during the operating time period by thelimited operating speed calculated through the limited operating speedcalculation part 164. This target operating time period is calculated asthe shortest operating time period required on the assumption thatplural corrugated paperboard boxes whose number is equal to a productioncount in an actual operating time period are produced at the limitedoperating speed.

The target and result comparison part/analytical information generationpart 172 is operable to, with respect to each order designating the dayas the production date: firstly, calculate the absolute value of adifference between the achieved operating time period included in theacquired operation result information and the calculated targetoperating time period, as an additional operating time period; secondly,calculate the ratio of the target operating time period to the achievedoperating time period, as a time period achievement rate; thirdly,calculate the absolute value of a difference between the calculatedachieved operating speed and the limited operating speed, as anoperating speed difference; and, fourthly, calculate the ratio of theachieved operating speed to the limited operating speed, as a speedachievement rate. The comparison results such as the additionaloperating time period are stored, as the analytical information as shownin FIG. 8, in the storage part 178 together with the calculated limitedoperating speed and others. Further, the achieved operating speedcalculated in the achieved operating speed calculation part 168 is alsostored as the analytical information as shown in FIG. 8.

Here, the analytical information includes the calculated limitedoperating speed, the production count during the operating time period,the target operating time period, the additional operating time period,the time period achievement rate, the achieved operating speed, theoperating speed difference, and the speed achievement rate, as shown inFIG. 8.

The order selection part 173 is operable to select an order for whichthe comparative information is to be provided to the user, based on theadditional operating time period calculated by the target and resultcomparison part/analytical information generation part 172. In thisembodiment, the order selection part 173 is configured to select anorder having the largest value of the additional operating time period.Alternatively, the order selection part 173 may be configured to selectan order having the smallest value of the time period achievement rate,the largest value of the operating speed difference, and/or the smallestvalue of the speed achievement rate.

The past-order identification part/past information acquisition part 174is operable to search the database 182 using the product code of theorder selected by the order selection part 173, thereby identifying apast-order having the same product code among previously-producedpast-orders. The past-order identification part/past informationacquisition part 174 is further operable to acquire the production dateand the analytical information of the identified past-order from thedatabase 182. In this embodiment, in a case where a plurality ofpast-orders are identified, such information may be acquired for all thepast-orders, or may be acquired for only several past-orders in theorder of late production date.

The comparative information generation part 175 is operable to associateeach of the analytical information of the order selected by the orderselection part 173 and the analytical information of the past-orderidentified by the past-order identification part/past informationacquisition part 174 with a respective one of their production dates togenerate the comparative information as shown in FIG. 9, as recordinformation.

Here, the comparative information is generated such that it includes apart of the basic information and the operation result information, suchas a the product code, the production date, and the production count, inaddition to the additional operating time period in a current order (inthis embodiment, the additional operating time period of an orderselected by the order selection part 173 among plural orders in a day),the production date of a past-order having the same production code asthat of (the same corrugated paperboard box specifications as those of)the selected order, and the past additional operating time period of thepast-order, as shown in FIG. 9, so as to serve as information allowingthe user to objectively recognize information about comparison between apast operation target and a past operation result, and information aboutcomparison between a current operation target and a current operationresult, with respect to each order. As one modification, instead of theproduct code, a product name (name of a box) may be used to identify anorder, as shown in FIG. 10. Further, the comparative information mayinclude values of the current achieved operating speed and the pastachieved operating speed, as shown in FIG. 10, and these valuesthemselves may be displayed on the user terminal 190, as will bedescribed in detail later. Further, although, in this embodiment,information about the additional operating time period is generated asthe comparative information as shown in FIG. 9, the time periodachievement rate, the operation speed difference, the speed achievementrate and/or the achieved operating speed may be included in thecomparative information, in place of or in addition to the additionaloperating time period.

The analytical and comparative information transmission control part 176is operable to cause the analytical information (see FIG. 8) of eachorder designating the day as the production data, and the comparativeinformation (see FIG. 9) including the past analytical informationacquired by the past-order identification part/past informationacquisition part 174 to be read out from the storage part 178, andtransmitted to the server device 112. Further, the analytical andcomparative information transmission control part 176 is operable tocause the analytical information and the comparative information to bestored in the storage part (database) 182 of the server device 112 andfurther cause the comparative information to be transmitted to the userterminal 190 via the server device 112. Here, the basic information, theoperation result information generated in the upper-level managementdevice 122, the analytical information generated in the analyzing device114 and the comparative information may be stored in the storage device178 in association with each other with respect to each order.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 2, 11 and 12, the method of calculatingthe limited operating speed using the matrix table by the limitedoperating speed calculation part 164 will be described.

The limited operating speed calculation part 164 is operable to, withrespect to each order designating the day as the production dataincluded in the operation result information, calculate the limitedoperating speed by referring to the matrix table preliminarily stored inthe storage part 178, for a combination of the sheet conveyancedirectional dimension and the binding number included in the basicinformation. One example of the matrix table is shown in FIG. 11. Inthis matrix table, based on specifications of the box making machine,values of the limited operating speed of the box making machine 1 to belimited depending on each order (the maximum speed in each order) arepredetermined with respect to various combinations of values of thesheet conveyance directional dimension and values of the binding number.Alternatively, after delivery of the box making machine, a sheet-feedingtest may be conducted with respect to each of the combinations of valuesof the sheet conveyance directional dimension and values of the bindingnumber, to define the matrix table based on values of the limitedoperating speed derived by a result of the test. In this embodiment, thelimited operating speed of the box making machine 1 is set to a maximumspeed which fulfills a series of operations (see FIGS. 2A to 2E) of thecounter-ejector in a downstream station in which a given number ofbox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S are separated by the mainledge 84 to form a batch, and ejected.

Here, a reason that the sheet conveyance directional dimension and thebinding number put a restriction on the maximum speed of the box makingmachine 1 will be described.

Corrugated paperboard sheets S are conveyed, e.g., in synchronizationwith rotation of the printing cylinder 34. In this case, basically, onecorrugated paperboard sheet S is fed per 360-degree rotation of theprinting cylinder. In this process, as shown in FIG. 12, an inter-sheetinterval in the forward-rearward direction (in FIG. 12, C1) in a casewhere the sheet conveyance directional dimension is relatively large (inFIG. 12, W1), with respect to a circumferential length of the printingcylinder as shown in FIG. 12, becomes smaller than the inter-sheetinterval (in FIG. 12, C2) in a case where the sheet conveyancedirectional dimension is relatively small (in FIG. 12, W2). Therefore,in the case where the sheet conveyance directional dimension isrelatively large, a time interval after a last sheet of a precedingbatch is fed in through until a first sheet of the next batch is fed inbecomes relatively short. Thus, in order to reliably separate a givenmember of box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets by thecounter-ejector, the limited operating speed is set to be slower as thesheet conveyance directional length becomes larger.

Further, in a case where the binding number is relatively small, theseries of operations of the counter-ejector 8 in which a given number ofbox-structured corrugated paperboard sheets S are separated to form abatch, and ejected need to be frequently repeated, as compared with acase where the binding number is relatively large. Thus, in order toreliably perform such a series of operations, the limited operatingspeed is set to be slower as the binding number becomes smaller.

Fourthly, with reference to FIGS. 5, 13 and 14, a schematicconfiguration of the server device 112 and the database 182 thereof willbe described. FIG. 13 is a chart showing comprehensive information of anorder to be generated by the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the first embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a chart showing oneexample of a database of past operation result information andanalytical information to be referred to by the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the server device 112 comprises an input-output part180 to transmit and receive data (information) with respect to theupper-level management device 122 and the analyzing device 114, and thedatabase (storage part) 182 storing therein data as shown in FIG. 11.

The server device 112 is configured to receive the basic information(FIG. 6) and the operation result information (FIG. 7) from theupper-level management device 122, and store the received information inthe database 182. In this embodiment, the operation result informationacquisition part 162 of the analyzing device 114 is operable to acquirethe basic information and the operation result information for previous5000 orders, stored in the database 182.

Data to be stored in the data base (storage part) 182 includes data forcomprehensively managing the basic information, the operation resultinformation and the analytical information relating to all orderspreviously subjected to production, as shown in FIG. 13. Data as shownin FIG. 13 is data about comprehensive information obtained byassociating the analytical information sent from the analyzing device114 with the basic information and the operation result informationreceived from the upper-level management device 122, and serves asdatabase capable of being referred to by the user. The comparativeinformation sent from the analyzing device 114 is included in thisdatabase.

As shown in FIG. 14, data to be stored in the database (storage device)182 includes record data about all orders preciously subjected toproduction, wherein the record data is referable as a database. Thedatabase as shown in FIG. 14 includes the order information such as theproduct code, the operation result information such as the productioncount, and the analytical information and comparative informationregarding the operating time period and/or the operating speed.

As one modification, the comprehensive information as shown in FIG. 13and the record data as shown in FIG. 14 may be stored in the storagepart (storage device) 178 of the analyzing device 114 together with thematrix table (FIG. 11).

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the content of control of theupper-level management device 122 in the operation result evaluationsystem 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 15is a flowchart showing the content of control to be executed by theupper-level management device during production of corrugated paperboardboxes in the operation result evaluation system according to the firstembodiment. In FIG. 15, S means “step”.

As shown in FIG. 15, upon turning on the power of the upper-levelmanagement device 122 during start-up in a day, in S1, the signalacquisition part 142 operates to acquire the order change signal or aresult of counting of the production count in one order cycle, from thelower-level management device 120. Then, when the order change signal isdetermined, in S2, to have been acquired, the control process proceedsto S3. In the S3, the production management part 150 operates to sendthe basic information of the next order to the lower-level managementdevice 120, and change an order whose achieved information is to bestored in the storage part 152, to a current order. For example,initially, the basic information of a first order in the day is sent,and the achieved information of the first order is stored in the storagepart 152.

Subsequently, in S4, based on receiving the order change signal, thestate identification part 144 operates to identify that the operation ofthe box making machine 1 is in the preparatory time period (preparatorystate). Then, in S5, the state identification part 144 operates to sumthe preparatory time period, and store the resulting sum in the storagepart 152. In the S5, the summing of the preparatory time period isrepeatedly performed until the aforementioned preparatory work by theoperator, such as replacement of the printing plate, is determined tohave been completed, in S6 which is the next processing step. Thesumming of the preparatory time period is summing in the aforementionedfirst and second preparatory sub-steps. The determination in the S6 asto whether or not the preparatory work has been completed is made bydetecting a signal indicating that the operator manually turns on themain motor switch of the box making machine 1.

Then, when the operator manipulates the single-sheet feeding switch orthe like to perform the trial processing in the aforementioned thirdpreparatory sub-step, the signal acquisition part 142 operates, in S7,to acquire a result of product count during the trial processing, summedby the production count counting part 132 of the lower-level managementdevice 120. Subsequently, processing in the S7, S9 and S10 will berepeated until the operation state in which two or more corrugatedpaperboard boxes are produced per 5 seconds is detected in S8.

In the S9, the acquired counting result is stored in the storage part152. Specifically, the acquired counting result is stored in the storagepart 152 in a state in which it is divided into a result of countingduring the current order cycle (the S7 and after-mentioned S13), and aresult of counting during the preparatory time period (the S7). Bystoring counting results separated in this manner, it becomes possibleto adequately extract data necessary for information to be generated.For example, in a case where 1000 sheets are counted during one ordercycle, and 10 sheets are counted during the preparatory step, thiscounting result is formed into data: “Production count: 1000 sheetsduring one order cycle (including 10 sheets during preparatory step(time period))”, in the achieved information as shown in FIG. 7.Further, in this case, the production count during the operating step is990 sheets, so that this is formed into data: “Production count (duringoperating time period): 990 sheets”, in the analytical information andthe comparative information as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Subsequently, in the S10, the preparatory time period is summed and theresulting sum is stored in the storage part 152, in the same manner asthat in the S5. The summing of the preparatory time period in the S10 issumming in the third preparatory sub-step, and, in the S8, the timeperiod of the third preparatory sub-step is summed until the number ofcounts of sheets is determined to become two or more per 5 seconds. Asone modification, the summing is continued until the operator turns onthe sheet-feeding start switch of the box making machine 1.

Here, the criteria for the determination in the S8 are based on a firstfact that the trial processing typically comprises feeding only onecorrugated paperboard sheet and inspecting the resulting one corrugatedpaperboard box, and therefore “two sheets” is set as one condition inorder to eliminate the preparatory time period for the trial processing,and a second fact that in continuous feeding which is the operatingstate, the sheet-feeding speed “2 sheets/5 seconds” is basically set asa minimum value (lowest speed) of the operating speed.

When the number of counts of sheets is determined, in the S8, to be twoor more per 5 seconds, the control process proceeds to S12. In the S12,the state identification part 144 operates to determine that theoperating time period (operating state) of the box making machine 1 isstarted from the time point of counting of the first sheet in a countingcycle in which the number of counts of sheet is determined to become twoor more per 5 seconds. Then, in S13, the operating time period issummed, and the resulting sum is stored in the storage part 152. Then,after the production count counting result acquired in the S7 by thesignal acquisition part 142 is stored, in S14, in the storage part 152as a result of counting of the production count during one order cycle,the control process returns to the S1. When the box making machine is inthe operating state under the continuous sheet feeding, no order changesignal is received. Thus, in this state, the steps S1, S2 and S11 to S14will be repeated. Here, when the S14 is executed for the second time,the result of counting of the production count during one order cycleacquired in the S1 is stored in the storage part 152.

On the other hand, when the continuous sheet feeding is stopped after alast one of the corrugated paperboard sheets for the current order isfed, a new order change signal is sent from the lower-level managementdevice 120 so as to execute the next order (S2: YES). Thus, the steps S4to S10 will be executed again.

Subsequently, when the production count counting result is acquired, inthe S1, without requiring the order change signal, the current state isdetermined, in the S2, not to be in the preparatory step, and thecontrol process proceeds to the S11. In the S11, it is determinedwhether or not the number of counts of sheets is two or more per 5seconds, in the same manner as that in the S8.

When the number of counts of sheets is determined to be two or more per5 seconds, the control process proceeds to the S12. In the S12, thestate identification part 144 operates to identify that the operation ofthe box making machine 1 is in the operating time period (operatingstate). Then, in S13, the operating time period is summed, and theresulting sum is stored in the storage part 152. Then, in the S14, theproduction count counting result during one order cycle, acquired in theS1 by the signal acquisition part 142, is stored in the storage part152.

On the other hand, when the number of counts of sheets is determined, inthe S11, not to be two or more per 5 seconds, the control processproceeds to S15. In the S15, the state identification part 144 operatesto identify that the operation of the box making machine 1 is in theshutdown time period (shutdown state). In the S15, the stateidentification part 144 operates to determine that the shutdown timeperiod (shutdown state) of the box making machine 1 is started from thetime point of counting of the last sheet in a counting cycle in whichthe number of counts of sheets is determined not to be two or more per 5seconds. Then, in S16, the shutdown time period is summed, and theresulting sum is stored in the storage part 152.

Subsequently, the processings of the S1, the S15 and the S16 will berepeated until the production in the day is determined, in S17, to becompleted, e.g., based on detecting that the power switch of theupper-level management device 122 is turned off, or until the currentstate is determined, in the S1 l, to be the operating state. When it isdetected, the S17, that the power switch is turned off, or that a fixedtime has come, the control process proceeds to S18. In the S18, theinformation transmission control part 148 operates to read out theoperation result information for a given number of order aftercompletion of production (e.g., previous 5000 orders), or the operationresult information in the day, from the storage part 152, and send theread-out information to the server device 112 together with the basicinformation.

There is a case where, after producing corrugated paperboard boxes forthe last order in the day, and performing order change to an order forpositioning processing tools at cleaning positions, the power switch ofthe upper-level management device is turned off without feeding anycorrugated paperboard sheet. Considering such a case, it is preferableto perform determination as to whether or not the power switch is turnedoff in the same manner as that in the S17, for example, between the S5and the S6. In this case, the operation result information for a givennumber of order after completion of production or the operation resultinformation in the day is sent to the server device 112 together withthe basic information, in the same manner as that in the S18.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the content of control of theanalyzing device 114 in the operation result evaluation system accordingto the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchartshowing the content of control to be executed by the analyzing deviceafter completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes in theoperation result evaluation system according to the first embodiment,and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one example of comparative informationgenerated and displayed in the user terminal by the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 16, S means“step”.

As shown in FIG. 16, first of all, in S20, the operation resultinformation acquisition part 162 operates to acquire, from the serverdevice 112, the basic information (FIG. 6) and the operation resultinformation (FIG. 7) for previous 5000 orders after completion ofproduction, stored in the database 182 of the server device.

Subsequently, in S21, the limited operating speed calculation part 164operates to, with respect to each order designating the day as theproduction date included in the operation result information,cross-check the combination of the sheet conveyance directional (FD)dimension and the binding number included in the basic information,against the matrix table (see FIG. 11) preliminarily stored in thestorage part 178, to calculate the limited operating speed in eachorder. For example, with regard to an order having the basic informationin which the sheet conveyance directional dimension is 320 mm, and thebinding number is 20 sheets, as shown in FIG. 6, referring to the matrixtable as shown in FIG. 11, the column “0” (0 to 399 mm) including 320 mmis selected, and the row “16” (16 to 20 sheets) including 20 sheets isselected, to determine the intersection 250 (sheets/min) of the columnand the row, as the limited operation speed.

Subsequently, in S22, the achieved production count calculation part 166operates to, with respect to each order designating the day as theproduction date, calculate, based on the acquired operation resultinformation, the production count during the operating time period bysubtracting the result of counting during the preparatory time periodfrom the result of counting during one order cycle. For example, in theoperation result information as shown in FIG. 7, the production countduring the operating time period is calculated as 990 sheets bysubtracting 10 sheets as the production count during the preparatorytime period from 1000 sheets as the production count during the oneorder cycle. The calculated production count 990 sheets is incorporatedin the analytical information as shown in FIG. 8.

Subsequently, in S23, the achieved operating speed calculation part 168operates to, with respect to each order designating the day as theproduction date, calculate the achieved operating speed by dividing theproduction count during the operating time period, calculated in theS22, by the achieved operating time period included in the acquiredoperation result information. For example, in the operation resultinformation as shown in FIG. 7, the achieved operating speed iscalculate as 228 sheets/min (3.80 sheets/sec) by dividing 990 sheets asthe production count calculated in the S22 by 260 seconds as theachieved operating time period.

Subsequently, in S24, the target operating time period calculation part170 operates to, with respect to each order designating the day as theproduction date, calculating the target operating time period bydividing the achieved production count during the operating time period,calculated in the S22 by the limited operating speed calculated in theS21. For example, the target operating time period is calculated as 238seconds (see FIGS. 7 and 8) by dividing 990 sheets as the productioncount calculated in the S22 by 250 sheets/min as the limited operatingspeed calculated in the S21 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Subsequently, in S25, the analytical information regarding the operatingtime period is generated with respect to each order designating the dayas the production date. More specifically, the target and resultcomparison part/analytical information generation part 172 operates tocalculate the additional operating time by subtracting the targetoperating time period calculated in the S24 from the achieved operatingtime period included in the acquired operation result information, andcalculate the time period achievement rate by dividing the targetoperating time period calculated in the S24 by the achieved operatingtime period included in the operation result information, therebygenerating the analytical information as shown in FIG. 8. For example,the additional operating time period is calculated as 22 seconds bysubtracting 238 seconds as the target operating time period from 260second as the achieved operating time period, and the time periodachievement rate is calculated as 92% by dividing 238 seconds as thetarget operating time period by 260 seconds as the achieved operatingtime period (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Subsequently, in S26, the analytical information regarding the operatingspeed is generated with respect to each order designating the day as theproduction date. More specifically, the target and result comparisonpart/analytical information generation part 172 operates to calculatethe speed difference by subtracting the achieved operating speedcalculated in the S23 from the limited operating speed calculated in theS21, and calculate the speed achievement rate by dividing the achievedoperating speed calculated in the S23 by the limited operating speedcalculated in the S21, thereby generating the analytical information asshown in FIG. 8.

In this embodiment, the target and result comparison part/analyticalinformation generation part 172 is configured to perform both thecomparison between a result and a target of the operating time periodand the comparison between a result and a target of the operating speed.Alternatively, for example, it may be configured to perform only thecomparison between a result and a target of the operating time period.

Further, in this embodiment, the target and result comparisonpart/analytical information generation part 172 is configured tocalculate all the additional operating time period, the time periodachievement rate, the operating speed difference, and the speedachievement rate. Alternatively, for example, it may be configured tocalculate only the additional operating time period.

Further, as the comparative information, information about only theachieved operating speed may be generated as shown in FIG. 10.Specifically, a value itself of the achieved operating speed in acurrent-order and a value itself of the achieved operating speed in apast-order may be generated as the comparative information, andinformation such as these values of the achieved operating speed in thecurrent- and past-orders or a difference between these values may bedisplayed on the user terminal 190.

Subsequently, in S27, the analytical and comparative informationtransmission control part 176 operates to, with respect to each orderdesignating the day as the production date, send, to the server device112, the analytical information (see FIG. 8) including the additionaloperating time period and the speed difference, generated in the S25 andS26. As one modification, the analytical information may be stored inthe storage part (database) of the analyzing device 114 in associationwith the operation result information and the basic information, withoutsending the analytical information to the server device 112.

Subsequently, in S28, the order selection part 173 operates to select anorder for which the comparative information is to be provided to theuser, based on values of the additional operating time period for allorders designating the day as the production date, detected in the S25,and generate the comparative information (FIG. 9) for the selectedorder. In this embodiment, an order having the largest value of theadditional operating time period is selected.

Subsequently, in S29, the past-order identification part/pastinformation acquisition part 174 operates to make search for a past-dataincluding the same product code as that of the order selected in theS28, in the database 182. Target data of the search is theaforementioned record database as shown in FIG. 14.

Then, the control process proceeds to S30. In the S30, the past-orderidentification part/past information acquisition part 174 operates todetermine whether or not there is a past-data including the same productcode as the selected code in the database 182. When, in the S30, thepresence of such a past-order is determined, i.e., the past-dataincluding the same product code as the selected code is identified, thecontrol process proceeds to S31. In the S31, the past-orderidentification part/past information acquisition part 174 operates toacquire the production date and the analytical information of theidentified past-data from the record database (database 182) as shownFIG. 14.

Then, the control process proceeds to S32. In the S32, the analyticaland comparative information transmission control part 176 operates tocause the comparative information including current and past operationresults of the order selected in the S28, as shown in FIG. 10, to betransmitted to the user terminal 190 via the server device 112.

On the other hand, when, in the S30, the absence of the concernedpast-order is determined, the control process proceeds to S33. In theS33, the analytical and comparative information transmission controlpart 176 operates to cause the comparative information of only thecurrent order selected in the S28 to be transmitted to the user terminal190 via the server device 112.

Here, one example of a screen image displayed on the user terminal 190based on the comparative example transmitted to the user terminal 190 isshown in FIG. 17. That is, the comparative information regarding recordsof the additional operating time period and the achieved operating speedin past-orders having the same corrugated paperboard box specificationsas those of the order selected in the S28, which has the largest valueof the additional operating time period is provided to and displayed onthe user terminal 190, as shown in FIG. 17. Here, the additionaloperating time period becomes longer in proportion to the productioncount. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the additional operatingtime period can serve as a guide for the user to recognize how much atotal time period leading to loss occurred at the present and in thepast. Further, based on the achieved operating speed, the user canrecognize how much the achieved operating speed at the present changed(lowered) with respect to that in the past.

On the other hand, a value of the additional operating time period perunit product count, e.g., 10 sheets, may be displayed, or the timeperiod achievement rate, the operating speed difference and/or the speedachievement rate may be displayed as a comparative value between atarget and a result. In this case, the user can review whether theoperating time period in a repeat order could be shortened to suppressproduction cost. Further, the order selection part 173 operates toselect a given order in the above manner, so that the amount ofinformation to be displayed on the user terminal can be reduced, ascompared with a case where information regarding all orders subjected toproduction in a day is provided, and thereby it becomes easier for theuser to understand and utilize the information.

Further, in this embodiment, the record of the analytical information isdisplayed the as the comparative information on the user terminal 190,so that the user can review whether or not the operating time periodcould be shortened to suppress production cost. Further, the additionaloperating time period increased, or the achieved operating speedlowered, as compared with a past-order having the same corrugatedpaperboard specifications, such comparative information can motivatesthe user to conduct machine maintenance so as to improve the operatingspeed.

It is to be understood that the comparative information may betransmitted to a user compute (not shown) for sending a productionmanagement plan to the upper-level management device 122, instead of theuser terminal 190. Further, the comparative information may betransmitted to the upper-level management device 122 and the lower-levelmanagement device 120 so as to be displayed on the displays of thecontrol panels 154, 126.

Next, a modification of the comparative information to be generated bythe order selection part 173 and transmitted by the analytical andcomparative information transmission control part 176 will be described.

The order selection part 173 may be configured to select a plurality oforders in descending order of the additional operating time period, andgenerate a plurality of pieces of the comparative information for theselected orders. Alternatively, the order selection part 173 may beconfigured to select an order having the smallest value of theadditional operating time period, and generate the comparativeinformation for the selected order, thereby informing the user about thefact that maintenance of the box making machine 1 by the user is good.Alternatively, the order selection part 173 may be configured to selectan order having the largest value of the production count during theoperating time period.

Further, as a modification, the order selection part 173 may beconfigured to select the entirety of a plurality of orders designatingthe same day as the production date or a part of the orders whose numbermay be arbitrarily settable. For example, the order selection part 173may be configured to select two or more orders in which the additionaloperating time period is greater than a given value.

As another modification, the order selection part 173 may be configuredto, with respect to each of all orders of the same production date (eachorder in a day), compare each of the additional operating time period,the time period achievement rate, the achieved operating speed, theoperating speed difference and/or the speed achievement rate with acorresponding one of the past additional operating time period, the pasttime period achievement rate, the past achieved operating speed, thepast operating speed difference and/or the past speed achievement rateacquired by the past-order identification part/past informationacquisition part 174, and select an order having the largest differencein terms of the additional operating time period, the time periodachievement rate, the achieved operating speed, the operating speeddifference and/or the speed achievement rate. In this case, thepast-order identification part/past information acquisition part 174 maybe configured to, with respect to each of all orders of the sameproduction date (each order in a day), identify a past-order having thesame corrugated paperboard box specifications as those of the order, andacquire the past additional operating time period, the past time periodachievement rate, the past achieved operating speed, the past operatingspeed difference and/or the past speed achievement rate in theidentified past-order, and the past production date thereof.

Alternatively, the comparative information generation part 175 may beconfigured to generate comparative information regarding the sum of theoperating time period and the shutdown time period, and provide thegenerated comparative information to the user, together with pastinformation including past comparative information regarding the abovesum. This allows the user to objectively recognize a relationshipbetween the target operating time period and the achieved operating timeperiod, including a time period during which the machine is shut downdue to failure or the like. In this case, the target and resultcomparison part/analytical information generation part 172 is configuredto calculate the sum of the achieved operation time period and theachieved shutdown time period included in the operation resultinformation, calculate the sum of a target shutdown time period and thetarget operating time period calculated by the target operating timeperiod calculation part 170; and calculate a difference and a ratiotherebetween. Here, although an ideal value of the target shutdown timeperiod is 0 second, it is preferably set to an arbitrary valueappropriate to the state of the box making machine 1.

Alternatively, the comparative information generation part 175 may beconfigured to generate comparative information regarding the sum of theoperating time period, the shutdown time period and the preparatory timeperiod, and provide the generated comparative information to the user,together with past information including past comparative informationregarding the above sum. This allow user to review whether or not theproduction time period could be shortened in the entire order tosuppress production cost. In this case, the target and result comparisonpart/analytical information generation part 172 is configured tocalculate the sum of the achieved operation time period, the achievedshutdown time period and the achieved preparatory time period includedin the operation result information; calculate the sum of the targetoperating time period calculated by the target operating time periodcalculation part 170, the target shutdown time period and a targetpreparatory time period; and calculate a difference and a ratio betweenones of them. With regard to the target preparatory time period, atarget preparatory time period calculation part is preferably added tothe analyzing device 114, wherein a time period required for anexperienced and skilled operator to perform order change work(replacement, trial processing, inspection, adjustment, etc.) ispreliminarily measured to form a map.

Next, with reference to FIG. 18, another modification of the comparativeinformation to be generated by the comparative information generationpart 175 and transmitted by the analytical and comparative informationtransmission control part 176 will be described. FIG. 18 shows oneexample of a presentation form of record information about the positionof a machine component of the box making machine to be generated by themodification of the operation result evaluation system according to thefirst embodiment and displayed on the used terminal together withcomparative information.

First of all, the analytical and comparative information transmissioncontrol part 176 may be configured to send current position informationand past position information of a member of each machine component ofthe box making machine to the user terminal, together with thecomparative information. One example of the presentation form displayedon the user terminal 190 is shown in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 19,record information about an inter-roll gap setting value may bedisplayed. In this case, for example, when a current member position ofis deviated from a past member position, there is a possibility that themachine component is worn out. Thus, by additionally providing such pastposition information to the user, the user can inspect the machinecomponent with a focus on a portion suspicious for wear-out toefficiently perform machine maintenance.

Alternatively, the analytical and comparative information transmissioncontrol part 176 may be configured to send, to the user terminal 190,actual position information and maker-recommended position informationof members of each of the machine components 2 to 6 and 8 of the boxmaking machine 1, together with the comparative example. Specifically,when the actual position information of the members largely deviatesfrom maker-recommended position information, the machine component islikely to be worn out. Thus, based on the provided position information,the user can inspect the machine component with a focus on a portionsuspicious for wear-out to efficiently perform machine maintenance.

Here, as mentioned above, in the event of an order change, the userconducts trial processing and inspects the resulting corrugatedpaperboard box. Then, when the inspected box is determined to bedefective, the operator adjusts the position of a member associated witha defective part of the box. For example, when a printing position isdeviated due to delay in sheet conveyance, the operator conductsadjustment, e.g., to narrow the gap between the upper and lower feedrolls so as to increase a grip force for a corrugated paperboard sheet.For example, in a case where the rubber portions of the upper and lowerfeed rolls are worn away, the operator conducts adjustment to furthernarrow the gap between the upper and lower feed rolls so as tocompensate for lowering of the grip force due to wear. When the userrecognizes that a current value of the gap between the upper and lowerfeed rolls largely deviates from a past value of the gap between theupper and lower feed rolls, he/she can focus on inspection of the feedrolls. Further, when the user recognizes that a current value of the gapbetween the upper and lower feed rolls largely deviates from amaker-recommended gap value, he/she can focus on inspection of the feedrolls.

As another modification, the analytical and comparative informationtransmission control part 176 may be configured to send, to the userterminals 190, state information of a (fed) corrugated paperboard sheetused in a current production, and state information of a corrugatedpaperboard sheet used in a past production. Examples of the stateinformation of the sheet include the temperature, the amount of water,and the degree of warpage of the sheet. The operator measures statequantities of the sheet before production, and inputs the measured statequantities through the use of the control panel 126, 154 of theupper-level management device 122. Alternatively, a sensor may beinstalled in the sheet feeder 2 to automatically measure and acquire thestate quantities of the sheet before production. The state informationof the sheet is sent from the upper-level management device 122 to theanalyzing device 114 via the server device 112, together with theoperation result information.

Next, a modification of the matrix table for use in calculating thelimited operating speed by the limited operating speed calculation part164 will be described.

In the above first embodiment, the matrix table defines the limitedoperating speed in accordance with the combination of the sheetconveyance directional dimension and the binding number. However, inaddition to such a matrix table, other matrix tables may be prepared,e.g., with respect to each product model of counter-ejector. Further,other matrix tables may be prepared with respect to each shape type ofcorrugated paperboard box (A, B, etc.). Further, other matrix tables maybe prepared with respect to each type of raw paperboard material (linerand corrugated medium) constituting a corrugated paperboard sheet. Whenusing such a matric table, information about the type of raw paperboardmaterial is preferably incorporated in the basic information (orderinformation). Further, other matrix tables may be prepared with respectto each degree of warpage of the sheet S. In this case, considering thatthe conveyance displacement of the sheet is more likely to occur as thedegree of warpage of the sheet becomes larger, the matrix table isformed such that the limited operating speed is set to a relatively lowvalue so as to allow the sheet to be conveyed while being reliablygripped. Here, with regard to the degree of warpage, the operatorvisually evaluates the state of the sheet and inputs an evaluated levelof warpage through the use of the control panel of the lower-levelmanagement device 120 or the upper-level management device 122. Theinput warpage information is sent to the analyzing device 114 via theserver device 112, together the operation result information.

Next, main functions/advantageous effects of the operation resultevaluation system according to the first embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, the operation result evaluation system 100 foruse in the corrugated paperboard box making machine 1 comprises: theproduction management device 110 for production management of the boxmaking machine; the analyzing device (operation result evaluationdevice) 114 for, after completion of production of corrugated paperboardboxes for a given order (after completion of production in a day),evaluating the operation result of the box making machine 1, with regardto a given number of orders (previous 5000 orders or orders in the day);and the storage device (182) for storing therein a given database,wherein the production management device 110 is configured to, withrespect to each order, generate the operation result informationincluding the production count and the achieved operating time period,as shown in FIG. 7, and the analyzing device 114 is configured to: withrespect to each order, calculate the achieved production count which isa number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the box makingmachine during the achieved operating time period (reference sign 166 inFIG. 5, S22 in FIG. 16); with respect to each order, calculate thelimited operating speed of the box making machine (reference sign 164,S21); with respect to each order, calculate the target operating timeperiod (reference sign 170, S24); with respect to each order, calculatethe additional operating time period which is a difference between thetarget operating time period and the achieved operating time period,and/or the time period achievement rate obtained by dividing the targetoperating time period by the achieved operating time period (referencesign 174, S25); with respect to each order, associate the calculatedadditional operating time period and/or the calculated time periodachievement rate with the achieved production count to generate theanalytical information regarding the operating time period in eachorder, as shown in FIG. 8, wherein the database (182) includes theanalytical information regarding the operating time period for eachorder, the production date in the operation result information and theorder information for each order, and wherein the operation resultevaluation device is further configured to refer to the orderinformation of past production dates in the database to, with respect toeach of the entirety or part of the given number of orders, identify apast-order of a past production date having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications as those in the order information of anyone of the entirety or part of the given number of orders (referencesign 174, S29); acquire the analytical information regarding a pastoperating time period for the identified past-order, in the database(FIG. 14), and the production date in the operation result informationassociated with the acquired analytical information (reference sign 174,S32); with respect to each of the entirety or part of the given numberof orders, associate the generated analytical information regarding theoperating time period and the production date thereof, the acquiredanalytical information regarding the past operating time period and thepast production date thereof, and the order information common in them,with each other, thereby generating comparative information; and causethe generated comparative information to be transmitted to the userterminal 190, so that it is possible to provide, to a user, quantitativeinformation regarding a loss dependent on current and past values of theoperating time period (e.g., information as show in FIG. 9, theadditional operating time period as shown in FIG. 17, or informationabout the achieved operating speed displayed in place of or in additionto the time period achievement rate) in each order after completion ofproduction, so as to allow the user to figure out the efficiency inproduction of corrugated paperboard boxes. Further, by providing, to theuser, quantitative information regarding a loss dependent on current andpast values of the operating time period in each order, it is possibleto allow the user to take notice of a sign of degradation of a machinecomponent and recognize the necessity of inspection.

From another aspect, in the first embodiment, the operation resultevaluation system 100 for use in the corrugated paperboard box makingmachine 1 comprises: the production management device 110 for productionmanagement of the box making machine; the analyzing device (operationresult evaluation device) 114 for, after completion of production ofcorrugated paperboard boxes for a given order (after completion ofproduction in a day), evaluating the operation result of the box makingmachine 1, with regard to a given number of orders (previous 5000 ordersor orders in the day); and the storage device (182) for storing thereina given database, wherein the production management device 110 isconfigured to, with respect to each order, generate the operation resultinformation including the production count and the achieved operatingtime period, as shown in FIG. 7, and the analyzing device 114 isconfigured to: with respect to each order, calculate the achievedproduction count which is a number of corrugated paperboard boxesproduced by the box making machine during the achieved operating timeperiod (reference sign 166 in FIG. 5, S22 in FIG. 16); with respect toeach order, calculate the limited operating speed of the box makingmachine (reference sign 164, S21), and set the limited operating speedas the target operating speed (reference sign 164, S21); with respect toeach order, calculate the achieved operating speed of the box makingmachine (reference sign 168, S23); with respect to each order, calculatethe operating speed difference which is a difference between the targetoperating speed and the achieved operating speed, and/or the speedachievement rate obtained by dividing the achieved operating speed bythe target operating speed (reference sign 172, S26); with respect toeach order, associate the operating speed difference and/or the speedachievement rate with the achieved production count to generate theanalytical information regarding the operating speed in each order, asshown in FIG. 8; wherein the database (182) includes the analyticalinformation regarding the operating speed in each order, and theproduction date in the operation result information and the orderinformation in each order, as shown in FIG. 14, and wherein theoperation result evaluation device is further configured to refer to theorder information of past production dates in the database to, withrespect to each of an entirety or part of the given number of orders(e.g., an order having the largest value of the operating speeddifference), identify a past-order of a past production data having thesame corrugated paperboard box specifications as those in the orderinformation of any one of the entirety or part of the given number oforders (reference sign 174, S29); acquire the analytical informationregarding a past operating speed for the identified past-order, in thedatabase (FIG. 14), and the production date in the operation resultinformation associated with the acquired analytical information(reference sign 174, S32); associate the generated analyticalinformation regarding the operating speed and the production datethereof, the acquired analytical information regarding the pastoperating speed the past production date thereof, and the orderinformation common in them, with each other, thereby generating thecomparative information as shown in FIG. 9; and cause the generatedcomparative information to be transmitted to the user terminal 190, sothat it is possible to provide, to the user, quantitative informationregarding a loss dependent on current and past values of the operatingspeed (e.g., information as shown in FIG. 10, the achieved operatingspeed as shown in FIG. 17, or information about the additional timeperiod displayed in replace of or in addition to the speed achievementrate, in FIG. 17) in each order after completion of production, so as toallow the user to figure out the efficiency in production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes. Further, by providing, to the user, quantitativeinformation regarding a loss dependent on current and past values of theoperating speed in each order, it is possible to allow the user to takenotice of a sign of degradation of a machine component and recognize thenecessity of inspection.

Further, in the first embodiment, the production management device 110of the operation result evaluation system 100 is provided on the side ofa producer (user) who produces corrugated paperboard boxes using the boxmaking machine 1, and the analyzing device (operation result evaluationdevice) 114 and the database (storage part) 182 is provided on the sideof a manufacturer (maker) of the box making machine, so that thecomparative information (FIG. 9) is transmitted to the user of the boxmaking machine 1 (producer of corrugated paperboard boxes) and displayedon the user terminal 190 as shown in FIG. 17 to allow the user to figureout the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboard boxes, andwear or the like of a machine component of the box making machine.Further, the manufacturer of the box making machine (maker) can utilizeinformation obtained from the operation result evaluation device 114 orthe database 182, for, e.g., improvement, design change or the like ofthe box making machine produced by the manufacturer itself. Further, ina situation where the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboardboxes is deteriorated and there arises a concern about wear or the likeof a machine component of the box making machine, the manufacturer ofthe box making machine (machine maker) can provide appropriate support,such as giving advice about inspection and maintenance of the box makingmachine, to the producer (machine user).

Next, with reference to FIG. 19, a schematic configuration of anoperation result evaluation system for use in a corrugated paperboardbox making machine, according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing theschematic configuration of the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the second embodiment.

The operation result evaluation system 200 according to the secondembodiment is different from the first embodiment, mainly in that in theside of a user (on the side of a producer who produces corrugatedpaperboard boxes using the box making machine), the upper-levelmanagement device and the analyzing device are constructed as a singledevice as designated by the reference sign 222; and the basicinformation, the operation result information, the analyticalinformation and the comparative information are sent from this theupper-level management device/analyzing device 222 to a server device212 on the side of a maker (on the side of a manufacturer of the boxmaking machine) and the database (storage part) 282, and the remainingbasic configuration is identical to the first embodiment. Here, theoperation result evaluation system 200 according to the secondembodiment is identical to the first embodiment, in that comparativeinformation generated in the upper-level management device/analyzingdevice 222 is transmitted to a user terminal via an input-output part280 of the server device 212. The following description will be madeabout only differences from the first embodiment. Here, any element orcomponent substantially identical to that in the first embodiment willbe described using the same reference sign as that in the firstembodiment.

Firstly, in the second embodiment, a production management device 210comprises a lower-level management device 120 and the upper-levelmanagement device/analyzing device 222, wherein an input-output part 240of the upper-level management device/analyzing device 222 has a functionequal to those of the input-output parts 140, 160 in the firstembodiment.

In the second embodiment, the upper-level management device/analyzingdevice 222 comprises an operation result information generation part248, in place of the operation result information generationpart/information transmission control part 148 and the operation resultinformation acquisition part 162 in the first embodiment. This operationresult information generation part 248 is operable to generate theoperation result information in each order based on the production date,the result of counting of the production count, the achieved operatingtime period, the achieved shutdown time period, the achieved preparatorytime period, etc., and store the generate operation result informationin a storage part 152 in association with the basic information.Alternatively, with respect to each order, comprehensive informationformed by associating the basic information, the operation resultinformation, the analytical information and comparative information witheach other with respect to each order may be stored in the storage part152, as with the storage part 178 in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the information transmission control part 276is operable to transmit the basic information stored in the storage part152, the operation result information, the analytical information andthe comparative information generated in the upper-level managementdevice/analyzing device 222, to the server device 212 via theinput-output part 240, in association with each other with respect toeach order, and cause the transmitted information to be stored in thedatabase (storage device) 282. Alternatively, with respect to eachorder, the operation result information, the analytical information andcomparative information may be stored in a storage part 152 inassociation with the basic information, as with the storage part 178 inthe first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the comparative information generated in theupper-level management device/analyzing device 222 may be transmitted tothe user terminal 190 via the server device 312 and/or directly to theuser terminal 190. Further, the comparative information generated in theupper-level management device/analyzing device 222 may be transmitted tothe upper-level management device/analyzing device 222 and thelower-level management device 120 and displayed on displays of controlpanels 154, 126 thereof.

In the second embodiment configured as above, the upper-level managementdevice/analyzing device (operation result evaluation device) 222 of theproduction management device 210 in the operation result evaluationsystem 200 is provided on the side of a user (on the side of a producerwho produces corrugated paperboard boxes using the box making machine),and the database 282 of the operation result evaluation system 200 isprovided on the side of a maker (on the side of a manufacturer of thebox making machine), so that the production management device and theoperation result evaluation device can be constructed as an integraldevice (222). In this case, it becomes easier for the producer ofcorrugated paperboard box (user) to handle the operation resultevaluation system. On the other hand, the maker (manufacturer of the boxmaking machine) can utilize information obtained from the database(storage part), for, e.g., improvement, design change or the like of thebox making machine produced by the manufacturer itself. Further, in asituation where the efficiency in production of corrugated paperboardboxes is deteriorated and there arises a concern about wear or the likeof a machine component of the box making machine, the manufacturer ofthe box making machine (maker) can provide appropriate support, such asgiving advice about inspection and maintenance of the box makingmachine, to the producer (user).

Next, with reference to FIG. 20, a schematic configuration of anoperation result evaluation system for use in a corrugated paperboardbox making machine, according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention, will be described. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing theschematic configuration of the operation result evaluation systemaccording to the third embodiment.

The operation result evaluation system 300 according to the thirdembodiment is different from the first embodiment, mainly in that aserver device 313 is provided inside a company of a user; theupper-level management device and the analyzing device are constructedas a single upper-level management device/analyzing device 222 as withthe second embodiment; and the basic information, the operation resultinformation, the analytical information and the comparative informationare sent from this the upper-level management device/analyzing device222 to the server device 312 and the database (storage part) 382, andthe remaining basic configuration is identical to the first embodiment.Here, the operation result evaluation system 300 according to the thirdembodiment is identical to the first embodiment, in that comparativeinformation generated in the upper-level management device/analyzingdevice 222 is transmitted to a user terminal via an input-output part380 of the server device 312. The following description will be madeabout only differences from the first and second embodiments. Here, anyelement or component substantially identical to that in the first orsecond embodiment will be described using the same reference sign asthat in the first or second embodiment.

Firstly, in the third embodiment, a production management device 210comprises a lower-level management device 120 and the upper-levelmanagement device/analyzing device 222, as with the second embodiment,wherein the upper-level management device/analyzing device 222 comprisesan operation result information generation part 248, as with the secondembodiment.

In the third embodiment, the information transmission control part 276is operable to transmit the basic information stored in the storage part152, the operation result information, the analytical information andthe comparative information generated in the upper-level managementdevice/analyzing device 222, to the server device 313 via aninput-output part 240, in association with each other with respect toeach order, and cause the transmitted information to be stored in thedatabase 382 as comprehensive information, as with the secondembodiment. Alternatively, with respect to each order, the operationresult information, the analytical information and comparativeinformation may be stored in the storage part 152 in association withthe basic information, as with the storage part 178 in the firstembodiment.

In the second embodiment, the comparative information may be transmitteddirectly to the user terminal 190 without passing through the serverdevice 312. Further, the comparative information generated in theupper-level management device/analyzing device 222 may be transmitted tothe upper-level management device/analyzing device 222 and thelower-level management device 120 and displayed on displays of controlpanels 154, 126 thereof.

In the third embodiment configured as above, the upper-level managementdevice/analyzing device (operation result evaluation device) 222 of theproduction management device 210 and the database 382 in the operationresult evaluation system 300 are provided on the side of a user (on theside of a producer who produces corrugated paperboard boxes using thebox making machine), so that, for example, the production managementdevice and the operation result evaluation device can be constructed asan integral device (222). In this case, it becomes easier for theproducer of corrugated paperboard box (user) to handle the operationresult evaluation system.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operation result evaluation system for use ina corrugated paperboard box making machine to evaluate an operationresult of the box making machine, based on order information which isinformation regarding an order for corrugated paperboard boxes, andoperation result information which is information regarding theoperation result of the box making machine, comprising: a productionmanagement device for the box making machine, the production managementdevice comprising a production count counting part configured to count aproduction count which is a number of corrugated paperboard boxesproduced for each order by the box making machine, an achieved operatingtime period calculation part configured to calculate an achievedoperating time period during which corrugated paperboard boxes have beenproduced for each order by the box making machine, and an operationresult information generation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, generate operation result information including a production dateof corrugated paperboard boxes, the production count and the achievedoperating time period; an operation result evaluation device configuredto, after completion of production of corrugated paperboard boxes for agiven order, evaluate the operation result of the box making machine,with regard to a given number of orders; and a storage device forstoring therein a given database, wherein the operation resultevaluation device comprises: an achieved production count calculationpart configured to, with respect to each order, calculate, based on thegenerated operation result information, an achieved production countwhich is a number of corrugated paperboard boxes produced by the boxmaking machine during the achieved operating time period; a limitedoperating speed calculation part configured to, with respect to eachorder, calculate, based on the order information, a limited operatingspeed of the box making machine to be limited depending on each order; atarget operating time period calculation part configured to, withrespect to each order, calculate a target operating time period, basedon the calculated achieved production count and the calculated limitedoperating speed; a target and result comparison part configured to, withrespect to each order, compare the calculated target operating timeperiod with the achieved operating time period to calculate anadditional operating time period which is a difference between thetarget operating time period and the achieved operating time period,and/or a time period achievement rate which is a quotient obtained bydividing the target operating time period by the achieved operating timeperiod; and an analytical information generation part configured togenerate analytical information regarding the operating time period ineach order, based on the calculated additional operating time periodand/or the calculated time period achievement rate, wherein the givendatabase stored in the storage device includes the analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period for each order, theproduction date in the operation result information and the orderinformation for each order, associated with the analytical informationregarding the operating time period, and wherein the operation resultevaluation device further comprises: a past-order identification partconfigured to refer to order information of past production dates in thedatabase stored in the storage device to, with respect to each of anentirety or part of the given number of orders, identify a past-order ofa past production date having the same corrugated paperboard boxspecifications as those in the order information of any one of theentirety or part of the given number of orders; a past informationacquisition part configured to acquire analytical information regardinga past operating time period for the identified past-order, in thedatabase stored in the storage device, and a production date in theoperation result information associated with the acquired analyticalinformation; a comparative information generation part configured to,with respect to each of the entirety or part of the given number oforders, associate the generated analytical information regarding theoperating time period and the production date thereof, the acquiredanalytical information regarding the past operating time period and thepast production date thereof, and the order information common in them,thereby generating comparative information; and an informationtransmission control part configured to cause the generated comparativeinformation to be transmitted to a user terminal.
 2. An operation resultevaluation system for use in a corrugated paperboard box making machineto evaluate an operation result of the box making machine, based onorder information which is information regarding an order for corrugatedpaperboard boxes, and operation result information which is informationregarding the operation result of the box making machine, comprising: aproduction management device for the box making machine, the productionmanagement device comprising a production count counting part configuredto count a production count which is a number of corrugated paperboardboxes produced for each order by the box making machine, an achievedoperating time period calculation part configured to calculate anachieved operating time period during which corrugated paperboard boxeshave been produced for each order by the box making machine, and anoperation result information generation part configured to, with respectto each order, generate operation result information includingproduction date of corrugated paperboard boxes, the production count andthe achieved operating time period; an operation result evaluationdevice configured to, after completion of production of corrugatedpaperboard boxes for a given order, evaluate the operation result of thebox making machine, with regard to a given number of orders; and astorage device for storing therein a given database, wherein theoperation result evaluation device comprises: an achieved productioncount calculation part configured to, with respect to each order,calculate, based on the generated operation result information, anachieved production count which is a number of corrugated paperboardboxes produced by the box making machine during the achieved operatingtime period; a limited operating speed calculation part configured to,with respect to each order, calculate, based on the order information, alimited operating speed of the box making machine to be limiteddepending on each order; a target operating speed setting partconfigured to, with respect to each order, set the calculated limitedoperating speed of the box making machine, as a target operating speed;an achieved operating speed calculation part configured to, with respectto each order, calculate an achieved operating speed of box makingmachine, based on the calculated achieved production count and theachieved operating time period; a target and result comparison partconfigured to, with respect to each order, compare the set targetoperating speed with the calculated achieved operating speed tocalculate an operating speed difference which is a difference betweenthe target operating speed and the achieved operating speed, and/or aspeed achievement rate which is a quotient obtained by dividing theachieved operating speed by the target operating speed; and ananalytical information generation part configured to generate analyticalinformation regarding the operating speed in each order, based on theachieved operating speed, the calculated operating speed differenceand/or the calculated speed achievement rate, wherein the given databasestored in the storage device includes the analytical informationregarding the operating speed in each order, and the production date inthe operation result information and the order information in each orderassociated with the analytical information regarding the operatingspeed, and wherein the operation result evaluation device furthercomprises: a past-order identification part configured to refer to orderinformation of past production dates in the database stored in thestorage device to, with respect to each of an entirety or part of thegiven number of orders, identify a past-order of a past production datahaving the same corrugated paperboard box specifications as those in theorder information of any one of the entirety or part of the given numberof orders; a past information acquisition part configured to acquireanalytical information regarding a past operating speed for theidentified past-order, in the database stored in the storage device, anda production date in the operation result information associated withthe acquired analytical information; a comparative informationgeneration part configured to, with respect to each of an entirety orpart of the given number of orders, associate the generated analyticalinformation regarding the operating speed and the production datethereof, the acquired analytical information regarding the pastoperating speed the past production date thereof, and the orderinformation common in them, thereby generating comparative information;and an information transmission control part configured to cause thegenerated comparative information to be transmitted to a user terminal.3. The operation result evaluation system as recited in claim 1,wherein: the analytical information generation part of the operationresult evaluation device is operable to, with respect to each of theorders of the same production date, generate the analytical informationregarding the operation time period; the operation result evaluationdevice further comprises a first order selection part configured toselect an order having a largest value of the additional operating timeperiod and/or a smallest value of the time period achievement rate,among values of the additional operating time period and/or values ofthe time period achievement rate each included in the generatedanalytical information regarding the operating time period, among theorders of the same production date; the past-order identification partof the operation result evaluation device is operable to identify apast-order of a past production date having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications as those in the order information of theorder selected by the first order selection part; and the pastinformation acquisition part of the operation result evaluation deviceis operable to acquire a past additional operating time period and/or apast time period achievement rate in the past-order of the pastproduction date identified by the past-order identification part, andacquire the past production date of the identified past-order, whereinthe comparative information for each of the entirety or part of thegiven number of orders to be generated by the comparative informationgeneration part of the operation result evaluation device is acombination of the comparative information for the order selected by thefirst selection part and the comparative information for the past-orderidentified by the past-order identification part, and wherein: thecomparative information generation part is operable to generate thecomparative information by associating the additional operating timeperiod and/or the time period achievement rate in the selected order;the production date of the selected order; the past additional operatingtime period and/or the past time period achievement rate in theidentified past-order; the production date of the identified past-order;and the order information common in them, with each other; and theinformation transmission control part is operable to cause the generatedcomparative information to be transmitted to the user terminal.
 4. Theoperation result evaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein: theanalytical information generation part of the operation resultevaluation device is operable to, with respect to each of the orders ofthe same production date, generate the analytical information regardingthe operation time period; the past-order identification part isoperable to, with respect to each of the orders of the same productiondate, identify a past-order of a past production date having the samecorrugated paperboard box specifications as those in the orderinformation of any one of the orders of the same production date; thepast information acquisition part of the operation result evaluationdevice is operable to, with respect to the identified past-order of thepast production date, acquire the analytical information regarding thepast operating time period in the database stored in the storage device,and the production date in the operation result information associatedwith the analytical information; and the operation result evaluationdevice further comprises a second order selection part configured tocompare each of the additional operating time period and/or the timeperiod achievement rate included in the analytical information regardingthe operating time period in each of the orders of the same productiondate generated by the analytical information generation part, with acorresponding one of the past additional operating time period and/orthe past time period achievement rate included in the analyticalinformation regarding the past operating time period in the past-orderof the past production date acquired by the past information acquisitionpart configured to select an order having a largest difference in termsof the additional operating time period and/or the time periodachievement rate, wherein the comparative information for the entiretyor part of the given number of orders to be generated by the comparativeinformation generation part of the operation result evaluation device isa combination of the comparative information for the order selected bythe second selection part and the comparative information for thepast-order having the same corrugated paperboard box specifications asthose in the order information of the selected order, and wherein: thecomparative information generation part is operable to generate thecomparative information by associating the additional operating timeperiod and/or the time period achievement rate in the selected order;the production date of the selected order; the past additional operatingtime period and/or the past time period achievement rate in thepast-order; the past production date of the past-order; and the orderinformation common in them, with each other; and the informationtransmission control part is operable to cause the generated comparativeinformation to be transmitted to the user terminal.
 5. The operationresult evaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period in each order, which isto be generated by the analytical information generation part, includethe achieved production count in each order, calculated by the achievedproduction count calculation part; and the comparative information to begenerated by the comparative information generation part includes theachieved production count in each order, included in the analyticalinformation.
 6. The operation result evaluation system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the achieved operating time period calculation part ofthe production management device is operable to calculate, as theachieved operating time period, an operating time period during which anoperation state is detected in which two or more corrugated paperboardboxes are produced per 5 seconds by the box making machine.
 7. Theoperation result evaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein theorder information includes a sheet conveyance directional sheet length,and a binding number of box-structured corrugated paperboard sheets,each of which is to be set with respect to each order, and wherein thelimited operating speed calculation part of the operation resultevaluation device is operable to, with respect to each order, calculatethe limited operating speed of the box making machine to be limiteddepending on each order, based on the sheet conveyance directional sheetlength and the binding number, each included in the order information;and values of the limited operating speed of the box making machine eachpredetermined with respect to a respective one of various combinationsof values of the sheet conveyance directional sheet length and values ofthe binding number.
 8. The operation result evaluation system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the given database stored in the storage devicefurther comprises a database for storing the operation resultinformation in each order generated by the operation result informationgeneration part of the production management device, in association withthe order information of the order, and wherein: the achieved productioncount calculation part of the operation result evaluation device isoperable to, with respect to each order, calculate, based on theoperation result information stored in the database, the achievedproduction count which is a number of corrugated paperboard boxesproduced by the box making machine during the achieved operating timeperiod; and the limited operating speed calculation part of theoperation result evaluation device is operable to, with respect to eachorder, calculate, based on the order information stored in the database,the limited operating speed of the box making machine to be limiteddepending on each order.
 9. The operation result evaluation system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the given database stored in the storagedevice further includes a database for storing the operation resultinformation in each order generated by the operation result informationgeneration part of the production management device, in association withthe order information of the order, wherein the analytical informationregarding the operating time period of the box making machine in eachorder generated by the analytical information generation part of theoperation result evaluation device, and the comparative informationgenerated by the comparative information generation part, are stored inthe given database, in association with the order information and theoperation result information each stored in the given database.
 10. Theoperation result evaluation system as recited in claim 1, which furthercomprises a server device capable of transmitting and receivinginformation with respect to each of the production management device andthe operation result evaluation device, and capable of transmittinginformation to the user terminal, wherein the information transmissioncontrol part of the operation result evaluation device is configured tocause the comparative information generated by the comparativeinformation generation part configured to be transmitted to the userterminal via the server device.
 11. The operation result evaluationsystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the production management deviceis provided on a side of a producer who produces corrugated paperboardboxes using the box making machine, and the operation result evaluationdevice is provided on a side of a manufacturer of the box makingmachine.
 12. The operation result evaluation system as recited in claim1, wherein the production management device is provided on a side of aproducer who produces corrugated paperboard boxes using the box makingmachine, and the operation result evaluation device and the storagedevice are provided on a side of a manufacturer of the box makingmachine.
 13. The operation result evaluation system as recited in claim1, wherein the production management device and the operation resultevaluation device are provided on a side of a producer who producescorrugated paperboard boxes using the box making machine.
 14. Theoperation result evaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein theproduction management device and the operation result evaluation deviceare provided on a side of a producer who produces corrugated paperboardboxes using the box making machine, and the storage device is providedon a side of a manufacturer of the box making machine.
 15. The operationresult evaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the productionmanagement device, the operation result evaluation device and thedatabase are provided on a side of a producer who produces corrugatedpaperboard boxes using the box making machine.
 16. The operation resultevaluation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the box making machinecomprises: a sheet feeder for feeding corrugated paperboard sheetsone-by-one; a printer for subjecting the fed corrugated paperboard sheetto printing; a creaser-slotter for subjecting the resulting corrugatedpaperboard sheet to creasing, slotting and formation of joint flaps; afolder-gluer for applying glue onto the joint flaps and then folding theresulting corrugated paperboard sheet along each crease to bondinglyform a box-structured corrugated paperboard sheet; and a counter-ejectorfor counting a number of the box-structured corrugated paperboard sheetsto form a batch consisting of a binding number of the box-structuredcorrugated paperboard sheets, and ejecting the batch.
 17. An operationresult evaluation device for use in a corrugated paperboard box makingmachine to, after completion of production of corrugated paperboardboxes for a given order, evaluate an operation result of the box makingmachine, based on order information which is information regarding anorder for corrugated paperboard boxes, and operation result informationwhich is information regarding the operation result of the box makingmachine, comprising: an achieved production count calculation partconfigured to, with respect to each order, calculate, based oninformation regarding an achieved operating time period and informationregarding a number of produced corrugated paperboard boxes, eachobtained from a production management device for the box making machine,an achieved production count which is a number of corrugated paperboardboxes produced by the box making machine during the achieved operatingtime period; a limited operating speed calculation part configured to,with respect to each order, calculate, based on the order information, alimited operating speed of the box making machine to be limiteddepending on each order; a target operating time period calculation partconfigured to, with respect to each order, calculate a target operatingtime period, based on the calculated achieved production count and thecalculated limited operating speed; a target and result comparison partconfigured to, with respect to each order, compare the calculated targetoperating time period with the achieved operating time period obtainedfrom the production management device to calculate an additionaloperating time period which is a difference between the target operatingtime period and the achieved operating time period, and/or a time periodachievement rate which is a quotient obtained by dividing the targetoperating time period by the achieved operating time period; ananalytical information generation part configured to generate analyticalinformation regarding the operating time period in each order, based onthe calculated additional operating time period and/or the calculatedtime period achievement rate; a storage part configured to store adatabase regarding the generated analytical information regarding theoperating time period for each order, and a production date included inthe operation result information and the order information for eachorder, associated with the analytical information regarding theoperating time period; a past-order identification part configured torefer to order information of past production dates in the databasestored in the storage device to, with respect to each order, identify apast-order of a past production date having the same corrugatedpaperboard box specifications as those in the order information of theorder; a past information acquisition part configured to acquireanalytical information regarding a past operating time period for theidentified past-order, in the database stored in the storage device, anda production date in the operation result information associated withthe acquired analytical information; a comparative informationgeneration part configured to, with respect to each order, associate thegenerated analytical information regarding the operating time period andthe production date thereof, the acquired analytical informationregarding the past operating time period and the past production datethereof, and the order information common in them, thereby generatingcomparative information; and an information transmission control partconfigured to cause the generated comparative information to betransmitted to a user terminal.